The Effectiveness of Collaborative Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Hypertension Management: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a global health concern that is best managed at the primary care level. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) facing resource constraints, collaboration between well-prepared entry-level advanced practice nurses (APNs) and physicians (medical doctors [MDs]) can enhance the care of patients with primary hypertension. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of collaborative entry-level APNs in primary hypertension management, including patient knowledge, physiological and behavioral outcomes, consultation length, and patient satisfaction. METHODS: Sixty-three eligible patients were randomly assigned to either an entry-level APN intervention group or a control group with MDs. Three master's-prepared nurses, trained in hypertension management, acted as entry-level APNs, following the Joint National Committee guidelines in collaboration with a physician. The control group underwent standard clinic consultations. After 1 month, a mixed analysis of variance was used to assess intervention effectiveness, examining both between-groups and within-groups outcomes. RESULTS: Both groups shared similar sociodemographic and baseline characteristics. Significant improvements in blood pressure, body mass index, knowledge, self-management, and medication adherence were found at the 1-month follow-up, with no significant differences in outcomes or patient satisfaction between the entry-level APN and MD groups. However, clinical consultation time was significantly longer for entry-level APNs than for MDs. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative entry-level APNs managing primary hypertension are comparable with MD care; however, larger, longer trials are essential for a thorough assessment. Strengthening the development of entry-level advanced practice nursing roles in low- and middle-income countries is crucial for addressing service gaps in primary hypertension and other chronic diseases.

Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring and Nurse Case Management in Black and Hispanic Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Black and Hispanic patients have high rates of recurrent stroke and uncontrolled hypertension in the US. The effectiveness of home blood pressure telemonitoring (HBPTM) and telephonic nurse case management (NCM) among low-income Black and Hispanic patients with stroke is unknown. Objective: To determine whether NCM plus HBPTM results in greater systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduction at 12 months and lower rate of stroke recurrence at 24 months than HBPTM alone among Black and Hispanic stroke survivors with uncontrolled hypertension. Design, Setting, and Participants: Practice-based, multicenter, randomized clinical trial in 8 stroke centers and ambulatory practices in New York City. Black and Hispanic study participants were enrolled between April 18, 2014, and December 19, 2017, with a final follow-up visit on December 31, 2019. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to receive either HBPTM alone (12 home BP measurements/week for 12 months, with results transmitted to a clinician; n = 226) or NCM plus HBPTM (20 counseling calls over 12 months; n = 224). Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were change in SBP at 12 months and rate of recurrent stroke at 24 months. Final statistical analyses were completed March 14, 2024. Results: Among 450 participants who were enrolled and randomized (mean [SD] age, 61.7 [11.0] years; 51% were Black [n = 231]; 44% were women [n = 200]; 31% had ≥3 comorbid conditions [n = 137]; 72% had household income <$25 000/y [n = 234/324]), 358 (80%) completed the trial. Those in the NCM plus HBPTM group had a significantly greater SBP reduction than those in the HBPTM alone group at 12 months (-15.1 mm Hg [95% CI, -17.2 to -13.0] vs -5.8 mm Hg [95% CI, -7.9 to -3.7], respectively; P < .001). The between-group difference in SBP reduction at 12 months, adjusted for primary care physician clustering, was -8.1 mm Hg (95% CI, -11.2 to -5.0; P < .001) at 12 months. The rate of recurrent stroke was similar between both groups at 24 months (4.0% in the NCM plus HBPTM group vs 4.0% in the HBPTM alone group, P > .99). Conclusions and Relevance: Among predominantly low-income Black and Hispanic stroke survivors with uncontrolled hypertension, addition of NCM to HBPTM led to greater SBP reduction than HBPTM alone. Additional studies are needed to understand the long-term clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and generalizability of NCM-enhanced telehealth programs among low-income Black and Hispanic stroke survivors with significant comorbidity. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT02011685.

Costs Saved by Visiting a Nurse-Led Primary Care Facility Comparison of Primary Care Models.

INTRODUCTION: Nurse-led primary care is a relatively rare model for primary care, but given nurses more holistic approach to medicine, can prove effective in both reducing costs and disparities in access and outcomes. The present study compares cost adjusted quality of care between a nurse-led primary care facility and the standard primary care. DESIGN: To compare the cost adjusted quality of care between the standard primary care model and a nurse led primary care model the outcomes from a population of patients that visited each (control and experimental, respectively) are compared with respect to three complications of hypertension (stroke, heart attack, and coronary heart disease). METHOD: The number of three complications (stroke, heart attack, and coronary artery disease) from hypertension for the experimental population is estimated using time-to-event distributions estimated from the control population. Costs are estimated using the control population data. RESULTS: It is found that the population that visited the nurse-led primary care facility had better cost adjusted outcomes than the population that visited the physician led facilities. We can attribute, at least, $3.7 million in costs not realized due to the quality of care provided by the nursing center. CONCLUSION: Nurse-led primary care is one way that the U.S. healthcare system could reduce costs while providing consistent quality of care.

Nursing case management for people with hypertension in primary health care: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a chronic disease that requires continuous and long-term care to prevent or delay the development of associated complications. Although various interventions for hypertension exist, case management in Brazil's primary healthcare is understudied. We examined nursing case management effectiveness for controlling blood pressure among Brazilian adults with hypertension in the public healthcare system. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial with a 12-month follow-up was conducted at a primary healthcare clinic in southern Brazil. Adult patients with hypertension were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 47) and usual care groups (n = 47). The nursing case management model includes nursing consultations, telephone contact, home visits, health education, and appropriate referrals. Patient outcomes (blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, quality of life, treatment adherence) were assessed at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-up for the intervention group and at baseline and 12-month follow-up for the usual care group. Data were collected from only the intervention group at T6 to avoid contact between the researcher and the usual care group, and to check the care plan and modify it if necessary. RESULTS: After the intervention, the intervention group's blood pressure decreased significantly compared to the usual care group. The differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the groups was -8.3 (intervention)/1.1 (usual care) mmHg (p = .004) and -7.4/-0.6 mmHg (p = .007), respectively. The intervention group had significantly greater improvement in waist circumference (-2.0/1.2 cm), body mass index (- 0.4/0.3), and treatment adherence (4.8/-1.1) than the usual care group (all p < .05). CONCLUSION: Nursing case management in primary healthcare may be effective for improving outcomes among patients with hypertension.

Nurse's Contribution to Alleviate Non-adherence to Hypertension Treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hypertension consists a major risk factor for cardiovascular events. Despite the proven effectiveness of antihypertensive treatment, approximately half of hypertensive patients have inadequate blood pressure control. Non-adherence to medication has been shown to be an important barrier to achieving adequate blood pressure control and nurse interventions can substantially improve therapeutic compliance. We sought to evaluate the role of nurse interventions in alleviating non-adherence to medication in patients with hypertension by performing a systematic review of the literature for all relevant articles. RECENT FINDINGS: Ten clinical studies were identified. The majority of studies reported beneficial effect of nursing intervention on treatment adherence in hypertensive patients. Telephone contacts and home visits were found to be the most effective educational approaches. Although comorbidities are considered to be an important barrier to adherence, there was not enough evidence to elucidate this aspect. Identifying specific factors that affect behavioral change in the setting of a successful intervention was difficult due to high heterogeneity among studies regarding materials and methods. Nursing interventions were shown to alleviate non-adherence to medication in patients with hypertension. Large well designed clinical trials are needed to evaluate specific factors that are associated with effective interventions.

Hypertension among adults living in Haiti: An integrative review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine what is known about hypertension among adults living in Haiti. BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the leading cause of morbidity, the identified cause of heart failure in 45% of patients and is associated with more than 70% of cardiovascular disease-related hospital admissions in Haiti. DESIGN: An integrative review of the literature. METHODS: Searching four databases from 2007 to 2018, Whittemore and Knafl's method was used to review the literature. Three nurse researchers independently reviewed and appraised each publication applying the Johns Hopkins Evidence-based Practice Appraisal tool. RESULTS: Eight publications were identified and appraised for level and quality of evidence. The synthesis of the literature yielded common themes of (i) high prevalence of hypertension among adults living in rural areas, (ii) public health challenges, (iii) lack of knowledge and awareness of hypertension and (iv) barriers to effective treatment. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is a highly prevalent disease in Haiti that is understudied and warrants attention. To better serve this vulnerable population, culturally tailored prevention strategies and disease management programmes are recommended. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: There is a lack of quality evidence to guide nurses in the management of hypertension for this vulnerable population. Identification of barriers to effective treatment among this underserved population will assist nurses and other healthcare professionals in identifying best possible practices for patient care in clinical settings across Haiti.

Multisystem Effects of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review.

Hypertension predisposes the woman and fetus to adverse outcomes during the pregnancy and postpartum. The risk for maternal complications and neonatal morbidity associated with the necessity of preterm birth extends beyond the postpartum and postnatal period. A comprehensive review of the multisystem effects of hypertensive disorders and underlying pathophysiology is provided to support the role of prompt identification of and management of acute complications of hypertension.

Managing Hypertension among the Elderly in Old Age Homes of Gurgaon & Delhi: Effect of Planned Teaching Programme.

The study was done among hypertensive elderly people staying in selected old age home of Gurgaon and Delhi. Convenient sampling was used to select the old age home and purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample of 30 hypertensive elderly people for assessing the management of hypertension among hypertensive elderly people. Further, 30 hypertensive elderly people had been evaluated for finding the effectiveness of planned teaching programme in terms of knowledge and attitude towards management of hypertension among hypertensive elderly people. There was deficit in knowledge and a lack of positive attitude regarding management of hypertension among hypertensive elderly people. The mean post-test knowledge scores and attitude scores were 27.5 and 71.2 respectively, which were signiflcantly higher than the mean pre-test knowledge scores and attitude scores (23.6 and 67.3) as evident from 't' values of 24.07 and 23.07 respectively for df (29) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that the planned teaching programme was effective in increasing the knowledge and developing a positive attitude of hypertensive elderly people in management of hypertension.

Evaluation of a specialist nurse-led hypertension clinic with consultant backup in two inner city general practices: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although practice nurses are increasingly involved in hypertension management, there is little robust evidence of effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a specialist nurse-led hypertension clinic with consultant backup on change in systolic blood pressure. DESIGN: Randomized trial. SETTING: Two inner city general practices. Participants. Three hundred and fifty-three patients, mean age 62 years (range 18-99), with last recorded blood pressure ≥ British Hypertension Society audit standard were randomly allocated to the nurse-led clinic or usual care. Intervention. Patients received a letter informing them that their last blood pressure was over target and inviting them to the clinic. After assessment at the clinic, the nurse discussed any changes in anti-hypertensive treatment with a visiting consultant and the patient's GP, and followed up the patient over 6 months until blood pressure targets were achieved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Reduction in systolic blood pressure, assessed using two audits of the practices' computerized records where blood pressure was measured independently by practice staff before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: Follow-up was 89% (313/353). There was greater reduction in systolic blood pressure in the clinic group (n = 144) than usual care group (n = 169, adjusted difference 4.4 mmHg; 95% CI 0.7 to 8.2). Of 167 patients randomly selected for the clinic, 91 (55%) attended, 49 had blood pressure above target when measured according to protocol and 26 had their anti-hypertensive treatment intensified by their GP. CONCLUSION: Invitation to a specialist nurse-led hypertension clinic with consultant back up was associated with reduced systolic blood pressure.

Cost-effectiveness of nurse practitioner/community health worker care to reduce cardiovascular health disparities.

BACKGROUND: Although evidence-based guidelines on the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes have been widely published, implementation of recommended therapies is suboptimal. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive program of CVD risk reduction delivered by nurse practitioner/community health worker (NP/CHW) teams versus enhanced usual care to improve lipids, blood pressure (BP), and hemoglobin (Hb) A1c levels in patients in urban community health centers. METHODS: A total of 525 patients with documented CVD, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or hypertension and levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, BP, or Hb A1c that exceeded goals established by national guidelines were randomized to NP/CHW (n = 261) or enhanced usual care (n = 264) groups. Cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated, determining costs per percent and unit change in the primary outcomes. RESULTS: The mean incremental total cost per patient (NP/CHW and physician) was only $627 (confidence interval, 248-1015). The cost-effectiveness of the 1-year intervention was $157 for every 1% drop in systolic BP and $190 for every 1% drop in diastolic BP, $149 per 1% drop in Hb A1c, and $40 per 1% drop in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that management by an NP/CHW team is a cost-effective approach for community health centers to consider in improving the care of patients with existing CVD or at high risk for the development of CVD.

The effect of continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics on ambulatory blood pressure of older hypertensive patients in the community.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics so as to provide the easy, noninvasive, effective and acceptable intervention for older hypertensive patients in the community. BACKGROUND: Many researchers studied the effect of administration at different times on blood pressure control and circadian rhythm. However, the individual administrative time was set ambiguously in previous studies. DESIGN: A semi-experimental study. METHODS: In the study, 90 eligible patients were recruited and separated into three groups randomly, which were the control group, intervention group A (behaviour and chronotherapy intervention) and intervention group B (behaviour intervention). At 6 and 12 months after the study, the intervention groups were measured 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS: There were significant differences in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters of the two intervention groups at different measurement times, and there were interaction between measurement time and different groups. The number of patients with dipper increased and reverse dipper decreased in group A as the intervention applied. There were statistical differences between two groups. The number of patients with morning surge in group A decreased more, and there were statistical differences between two groups at six months after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The behaviour and chronotherapy intervention based on the patients' ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can control casual blood pressure much better and last longer, which can also improve patients' indexes of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring better than behaviour intervention only. The behaviour and chronotherapy intervention can increase patients' nocturnal blood pressure drop, increase the number of patients with dipper and decrease reverse dipper, and improve blood pressure surge in the morning. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses can use continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics to help improve hypertension of older patients better in the community.

The short and long-term efficacy of nurse-led interventions for improving blood pressure control in people with hypertension in primary care settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous systematic reviews suggest that nurse-led interventions improve short-term blood pressure (BP) control for people with hypertension. However, the long-term effects, adverse events, and appropriate target BP level are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of nurse-led interventions. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and CINAHL, as well as three Japanese article databases, as relevant randomized controlled trials from the oldest possible to March 2021. This search was conducted on 17 April 2021. We did an update search on 17 October 2023. We included studies on adults aged 18 years or older with hypertension. The treatments of interest were community-based nurse-led BP control interventions in addition to primary physician-provided care as usual. The comparator was usual care only. Primary outcomes were long-term achievement of BP control goals and serious adverse events (range: 27 weeks to 3 years). Secondary outcomes were short-term achievement of BP control goals and serious adverse events (range: 4 to 26 weeks), change of systolic and diastolic BP from baseline, medication adherence, incidence of hypertensive complications, and total mortality. RESULTS: We included 35 studies. Nurse-led interventions improved long-term BP control (RR 1.10, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.18). However, no significant differences were found in the short-term effects of nurse-led intervention compared to usual care about BP targets. Little information on serious adverse events was available. There was no difference in mortality at both terms between the two groups. Establishing the appropriate target BP from the extant trials was impossible. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-led interventions may be more effective than usual care for achieving BP control at long-term follow-up. It is important to continue lifestyle modification for people with hypertension. We must pay attention to adverse events, and more studies examining appropriate BP targets are needed. Nurse-led care represents an important complement to primary physician-led usual care.

[Assessment of the association between nursing care services, hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease in elderly patients with late-stage diabetes].

In an aging society with fewer children, diabetes self-control is difficult for elderly patients. Under these circumstances, it is expected that living in care homes for the elderly and institutions where nursing care services could be provided will help improve the prognosis of diabetic patients. Therefore, we assessed whether HbA(1c). levels (National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program : NGSP) in 121 elderly patients with late-stage diabetes receiving home medical care in our clinic from March 2008 to March 2013 improved with nursing care services.

Consultation training of nurses for cardiovascular prevention - a randomized study of 2 years duration.

The aim of this study was to increase patients' adherence to the treatment of hypertension through the consultation training of nurses. Thirty-three nurses were included in the study. In the intervention group (IG), 19 nurses took part in a 3-day residential training course on the Stages of Change model, Motivational Interviewing and guidelines for cardiovascular prevention, and recruited 153 patients. Sixteen nurses in the control group (CG) recruited 59 patients. A decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol was noticed in both groups over the 2 years. Heart rate (p = 0.027), body mass index (p = 0.019), weight (p = 0.0001), waist (p = 0.041), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p = 0.0001), the waist-hip ratio (p = 0.024), and perceived stress (p = 0.001) decreased to any great extent only in the IG. After 2 years, 52.6% of the patients in the IG (p = 0.13) reached the target of ≤ 140/90 mmHg in blood pressure compared with 39.2% in the CG. For self-reported physical activity, there was a significant (p = 0.021) difference between the groups. The beneficial effects of the consultation training on patients' weight parameters, physical activity, perceived stress and the proportion of patients who achieved blood pressure control emphasize consultation training and the use of behavioural models in motivating patients to adhere to treatment.

Office-based nursing staff management of hypertension in primary care.

A family medicine practice in a large multi-specialty clinic undertook a quality improvement initiative focusing on blood pressure control. Current rooming procedures were reviewed, including obtaining accurate and reliable blood pressures. All rooming staff were instructed how to take an accurate blood pressure and were observed at random over a 3-month period to ensure continued accuracy. Rooming staff (medical assistants and licensed practical nurses) were engaged to give patient education and to arrange a standard 2-week follow-up with a rooming staff team member (nurse visit) if the patient's blood pressure was elevated. Clinicians were educated briefly about the importance of managing hypertension regardless of reason for visit. Blood pressure control (<140/90) in patients age 18-85 without diabetes improved from 68.4% to 75.8% in 3 months.

[Nursing actions increases the control of hypertensive patients and reduces white-coat effect]. / Atuação da enfermeira eleva o controle de hipertensos e diminui o efeito do avental branco.

A randomized comparative study was performed to evaluate the control of hypertension with use of home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) and casual blood pressure measurement, and analyze the white coat effect. Hypertensive patients in primary health care units were randomly divided into two groups: group I, participating of the educational activities and group II that followed the routine treatment. The hypertensive patients from group I realized HBPM at the beginning and the end of the study. White-coat effect was evaluated by the difference between the casual blood pressure measurement and HBPM. The study included 290 hypertensive patients, but realized HBPM 82 hypertensive patients. There was increase in blood pressure control from the beginning to end of study in hypertensive patients from group I (p < 0.05) measured by HBP (60% to 68.3%) and casual measurement (62% to 71%) and in group II, HMBP hypertension control was higher than the casual blood pressure measurement (63% vs 50%). The white coat effect was greater in hipertensive patients from group II.