(1028) Targeting Blood Pressure, a Pharmacy-led Intervention to Improve Hypertension Control in a Community Health Center

Objectives: The purpose of this project will be to utilize pharmacists to achieve blood pressure (BP) goals among patients at a community health center. The center is a medical resident-run clinic that improves access to medical care across a spectrum of services such as medical, radiology, dental, vision, and pharmacy. The clinic serves uninsured patients from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Uncontrolled hypertension is a known risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The target BP for most patients will be less than 130/80 mm Hg depending on co-morbidities. The primary objective is to work within a medical resident-run clinic to provide home BP monitors to patients with uncontrolled hypertension, provide education on the proper use of home BP monitors, and document home BP readings. The secondary objectives include providing lifestyle counseling on diet and medication adherence and supporting medical residents in medication management as needed.

Methods: The project will be conducted within the clinic with the aim to enroll 15-20 patients. Home BP monitors will be distributed to enrolled patients. Pharmacists will provide education on best practices for home BP monitoring. Patients will be instructed to keep logs at home and to share them with the healthcare team. They will be scheduled to return for an office visit at 2-4 weeks. A three month follow up will be completed to assess final changes from baseline. In addition, the program will incorporate lifestyle education such as how to integrate salt reduction and dietary changes into the patient’s routine. Pharmacists will meet with patients and use motivational interviewing to work together to create sustainable changes. Patients will be seen at baseline then throughout the program as needed to assess changes in lifestyle and medication. Data collected will include: BP readings, medication changes, medication adherence, and pharmacist interventions. Hypertension measures will be tracked based on in-office and home logs. Patient specific information will be maintained securely and de-identified for project purposes.

Results: Pending

Conclusions: Pending