Blood Pressure Ministry

Transcription

1 Blood Pressure Ministry

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction I. Policy II. Procedure III. Introduction Letter Example A. Assessment - Follow up contact information - Blood pressure toolkit education B. Education - What is high blood pressure? -When is a good time to make a referral? - Who do I call? C. Referral... 6 Tables Factors Influencing Accuracy of Blood Pressure Classification of Blood Pressures for Adults Recommendations for Follow-up...7

3 Introduction Blood Pressure Guidelines Purpose: To provide education to the members within each of the five identified churches to aid in the efforts to improve blood pressure measurement accuracy. The guidelines for blood pressure measurement are found within the American Society of Hypertension (ASH). Our objective in this publication is to provide the reader with a "refresher/ education" for the elements for the framework of continuous quality improvement. It is assumed that the reader has a passing grade and a familiarity with the basics of quality improvement, many samples are provided within our teaching tool. I. Policy: A. Blood pressure monitoring Blood pressure monitoring is a core competency of a registered nurse. At least one will be scheduled for each screening and will provide education as needed. Other health professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, EMTs, LPNs, paramedics, certified nursing assistants, student nurses, and medical assistants who have been trained in taking blood pressures may assist at the screening. B. It is the responsibility of the health professional to evaluate all blood pressures and provide feedback to each person. Other volunteers may be used for taking BPs, but RNs or physicians must review the readings. C. Blood pressure screenings will be held at least monthly on the day of each churches preference. D. The program should have a blood pressure coordinator who is responsible for the following: A. recruiting volunteers B. scheduling volunteers for screenings

4 C. posting screening dates in church newsletters, bulletins, etc D. obtaining and maintaining educational materials E. reviewing equipment needs and blood pressure guidelines annually F. providing updates with Million Hearts case coordinator monthly E. Necessary equipment includes: A. BP cuffs standard adult, large adult, latex free cuff B. tables/chairs C. documentation forms D. educational materials E. client blood pressure pocket card F. Privacy A. Screenings will take place in a office or another quiet place. All information shared with health team must always remain confidential. G. Cleaning of blood pressure Equipment A. All equipment is to be cleaned after each screening or more frequently if needed using the following guidelines: A. stethoscopes use 70% isopropyl alcohol or alcohol wipes to clean all parts B. blood pressure cuffs i. Wipe the aneroid gauge, inflation bulb, and valve with 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe/solution ii. Wipe the blood pressure cuff with either.5% bleach or 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe/solution

5 II. General Procedure A. Have client sit, with fully exposed arm extended, palm up on a supportive surface B. Apply an appropriately sized cuff snugly to the upper arm, centering the cuff s bladder over the artery and leaving a space of one inch above the antecubital area for placement of the stethoscope. C. The cuff should cover no less than one-half and not more than twothirds of the upper arm. The cuff bladder should cover % of the circumference of the arm. Steps Recruit three to four medical volunteers. Ask if doctors, nurses, EMTs, CNAs or medical students in your church can volunteer to help. If none is available, check with local hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, pharmacies, fire rescue departments or health care facilities. Check if you will need to purchase or borrow BP cuffs (sphygmomanometer) or stethoscopes. Decide when and how often you will provide blood pressure checks. Some churches provide screenings one Sunday a month following services. If this is a one-time event, try planning it on a weekend afternoon. Decide where you will hold the screenings. You can hold the screening in your church or at a busy location in town. Advertise your services. Ask permission to post flyers on local businesses. It may be helpful to have your flyers printed in Spanish as well. Tips On the day of screening, set up tables and chairs. Put up table signs or banners and have health information brochures ready to hand out. It is also helpful to have translators at the screening. Other health screenings you may consider providing are diabetes, asthma, body mass index, and breast cancer.

6 Example Member Welcome Letter Dear Member, You and your family are important partners in your health care. By working together with your physician and other health care professionals, you can learn how to best manage your high blood pressure. Managing your blood pressure includes: eating low-sodium foods balancing physical activity and rest taking your medications as prescribed and educating yourself about your health Knowing when your blood pressure is too high and who to call Congratulations on taking this important step toward Becoming an Advocate for your Health! Sincerely, (The Name of Your Church) Health Care Team

7 Blood Pressure Measurement Toolkit: Improving Accuracy, Enhancing Care Physician: Nurse practitioner: Church Nurse: Health Ministry Contact: Church Home: Pharmacy: Do you have allergies to medications? Who to call in case of emergency: Hospital of choice: Important phone numbers: This is the link for the toolkit that we used for education:

8 When to REFER: High blood pressure is when your blood pressure is usually higher than it should be. It is also called hypertension. It s like a car tire with too much air in it. If the tire pressure is not lowered, there is risk for tire damage. If your high blood pressure is not lowered, there is risk for damage to your eyes, brain, heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Blood pressure measures and what they mean Normal Less than 120/80 Talk with your doctor if you have diabetes or kidney disease. Even a small rise in either number increases risk for heart disease and stroke. Prehypertension 120/80-140/90 May lead to higher blood pressure. Talk with your doctor about steps you can take to lower your blood pressure. When to REFER: If a repeat blood pressure is needed and the second blood pressure is: High blood pressure (hypertension), recommend that client get a repeat blood pressure within two months and follow up with their health care provider if it remains high (Utilize the first form) very high ( 160/99), recommend that client get a repeat blood pressure within 1 month and follow up with their health care provider if it remains high (Utilize the first form) dangerously high ( 180/100), and client is asymptomatic, recommend follow up with their health care provider within 1 week; client has symptoms such as shortness of breath, altered mental status, dizziness, blurred vision, or headache, recommend immediate follow-up at the emergency room and advise client not to drive him or herself (Utilize form two) Document all blood pressures on the blood pressure screening record. If the blood pressure is dangerously high, complete the Immediate Referral form and: Give the original to the client Keep the duplicate for the church file

9 Immediate Referral Form - Physician Contact Commitment Name: Phone: Provider: I acknowledge that my screening test results are out-of-range as indicated above. I commit to seeking immediate medical care from my personal healthcare provider, urgent care clinic, or occupational healthcare provider at my worksite for these abnormal results. I understand that this screening service is offered for my benefit and information. The screening tests are not meant to replace the care of my personal physician. I also understand that screening tests can give false, positive, or negative results for a variety of reasons. I acknowledge that my physician is best able to interpret the results of these tests based on his/her understanding of my medical history. I have read and agree with all the terms and conditions listed above. Signature Date Medical Centers within the local area: 1. UnityPoint Health Methodist 221 NE Glen Oak Avenue Peoria, IL UnityPoint Health Proctor Hospital 5409 N Knoxville Ave Peoria, IL OSF Medical Center 530 NE Glen Oak Ave Peoria, IL Heartland Community Health Clinic 1701 W. Garden St. Peoria, Illinois 61605

10 Your may contact the following listed phone numbers to obtain a provider is you do not have one: 1. Unity Point Methodist: Find a Doctor: 1-(877)-64-MYDOC 2. OSF Medical Center: Call Center: Heartland Community Health Clinic: Referral to Medical Provider Office: Name: Date: Blood Pressure Readings: Symptoms: Shortness of breath #1: Altered mental status Dizziness #2: Blurred vision Headache Your blood pressure readings are high following two months of reading held at my church. These reading were completed within a month. In addition I have experienced the following symptoms listed above that are circled. I was seen at the emergency room on the following: Date: Readings:

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