Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Committee Chair
Bethany Gilbert
Committee Member
William H. Cleveland
Subject(s)
Hypertension--Treatment, Health self-care, Patient monitoring--Remote sensing, Medical informatics
Abstract
Hypertension is a global health problem that impacts millions of people each year and contributes to cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and other conditions. Reducing and maintaining control of hypertension leads to better health outcomes. Patient self-measured blood pressure monitoring, along with co-interventions from the healthcare team, is an evidence-based strategy used to reduce and control hypertension. Through advanced technology, remote blood pressure monitoring programs that allow patients to transmit measurements through the internet to physicians’ offices for review and management of hypertension are more readily available. The synthesis of evidence in this document includes the effectiveness of remote monitoring programs in reducing hypertension, the significance of program evaluations, and the importance of engaging stakeholders. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on an existing remote blood pressure monitoring program utilized by a nephrology practice. The primary objectives of the program were to improve and maintain control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Since implemented, the program had not been evaluated for efficacy. The program evaluation included a review of the processes, and a retrospective review of medical records of 207 subjects who had been enrolled in the program and monitored for at least 6 months. Clinical data, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements at enrollment were compared to values documented at the 6th, 12th, and 18th month intervals. Frequency of patient interactions with nurses, antihypertensive medication adjustments, and patient visits with providers were assessed for relationships with blood pressure outcomes. The Center for Disease Control Program Evaluation was used as the framework to guide this evaluation. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS and Excel. Findings showed an improvement in blood pressure outcomes and a positive correlation between frequency of antihypertensive medication adjustments and patient visits with the providers. Although no direct relationship was found between frequency of patient interactions with nurses and blood pressure outcomes, the mean number of interactions were 6 per month. Major cardiovascular events that required hospitalization included stroke, chest pain, or hypertensive crisis occurred in 4% of the patients during the first 6 months interval, and in 1% during each subsequent interval.
Recommended Citation
Murphy, Angela V., "Evaluation of a remote blood pressure monitoring program" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). 138.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-dnp/138
