scholarly journals P065: Development and implementation of a postpartum hypertension recognition and management protocol for use in the emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S80-S80
Author(s):  
T. Hawkins ◽  
S. K. Dowling ◽  
D. Wang ◽  
A. Mahajan ◽  
A. Mageau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Protocol Implementation ◽  
Management Protocol ◽  
Order Set

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia, can develop or worsen in the early postpartum period, often following discharge from hospital, resulting in severe preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. Due to a lack of routine early out-patient follow-up, many women with postpartum HDP present to the emergency department (ED) with severe hypertension or symptoms of preeclampsia (e.g., headache). In the ED, postpartum HDP can be difficult for clinicians to recognize (due to vague presenting symptom) and manage (due to lower blood pressure targets and concern of medication safety). ED clinicians recognized a need for timely recognition and effective treatments for postpartum HDP in the ED to improve maternal outcomes. As such, as part of a multi-step quality improvement initiative, an interdisciplinary team developed and implemented a postpartum HDP management protocol (consisting of nursing and physician protocols and an electronic order set embedded in the electronic medical record). The aims of this specific project were to assess: 1) the use of this clinical management protocol in the ED; and 2) its impacts on clinical care. Methods: This quality improvement project used electronic medical records to identify: 1) ED visits for postpartum HDP for postpartum women ages 20-50; 2) utilization of the postpartum HDP order set; and 3) clinical care outcomes (consultation and admission). Patient population characteristics and clinical care measures were summarized with descriptive statistics and compared using a before and after design. Changes in the utilization of the protocol were assessed using run charts. Results: 540 women with postpartum HDP were seen in the four Calgary EDs in the 16-month period following protocol implementation compared with 335 women in the preceding 12 months. The protocol was used in 46% of these 540 women, and increased over the 16 month follow-up period. We found an increase in the frequency of consultation of specialists (47% to 52%) and admissions (26% to 29%) amongst these women after protocol implementation. Conclusion: This initial assessment demonstrated good uptake of a postpartum HDP management protocol including referral for consultation and admission to hospital for blood pressure management. Future steps include evaluation of the impacts of this management protocol on important patient outcomes.

scholarly journals P080: Clinical lead nurse practitioner Strathcona Community Hospital

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S85-S85
Author(s):  
D. K. Klemmer ◽  
C. Ziebel ◽  
N. Sharif ◽  
S. Grubb ◽  
S. Sookram
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Nurse Practitioner ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Lost To Follow Up

Introduction: Prior to opening Strathcona Community Hospital (STCH) site leadership were tasked to develop an innovative care model. The central aim was quality improvement and patient safety optimization in the emergency department (ED) utilizing a nurse practitioner (NP) model. They developed 3 pillars: collaboration, multidisciplinary approach, and integration with the plan of improving patient satisfaction and ensuring no patient gets lost to follow up. NPs work in the STCH ED and the NP led Emergency Department Transition (EDT) Clinic in Ambulatory Care. In the ED NPs provide direct clinical care, judicious review of DI and microbiology reports, and care coordination for patients at risk of lost to follow up. The EDT clinic is an innovative NP lead clinic with the purpose of providing timely, high-quality follow up care for ED patients. Methods: Data for the service delivery indicators came from data repository and manual data collection looking at the following outcomes: timely review of DI/micro results; decreased ED visits for non-urgent/emergent issues; safe transitions in care and improved patient satisfaction. Quantitative data from service delivery, patient and surveys were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 19. Results: From June 2016 to January 2017 ED NPs at STCH reviewed 3000 positive microbiology reports and made 517 f/u calls to those patients, and reviewed 3181 DI results. This has freed up approximately 2 hrs per day of ED physician time. When NPs were working in the ED, the number of patients who left without treatment (LWT) was approximately 50% less, and improved STCH ED wait times to be among the lowest in the Edmonton Zone. From June 2016 to January 2017, EDT NPs completed 837 patient visits; 371 letters to family physicians (FPs); 215 referrals; and connected 520 patients to a new FP. Patient satisfaction survey show 88-90% of the patients were satisfied with their care. Conclusion: NPs are integral members of the ED team at STCH, providing direct clinical care and several valuable follow up services for ED patients. The EDT clinic provides urgent follow up for ED patients unable to get a timely appointment with their FP or no access to primary care. The clinic also prevents unnecessary returns to ED, and aids to bridge ED services to family physicians or specialist. NPs are the common thread through all departments at STCH, contributing to quality improvement and high patient satisfaction.

scholarly journals Quality improvement primer part 2: executing a quality improvement project in the emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas B. Chartier ◽  
Antonia S. Stang ◽  
Samuel Vaillancourt ◽  
Amy H. Y. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Emergency Department Setting ◽  
Pdsa Cycle ◽  
Time To Antibiotics ◽  
Final Article

ABSTRACTThe topics of quality improvement (QI) and patient safety have become important themes in health care in recent years, particularly in the emergency department setting, which is a frequent point of contact with the health care system for patients. In the first of three articles in this series meant as a QI primer for emergency medicine clinicians, we introduced the strategic planning required to develop an effective QI project using a fictional case study as an example. In this second article we continue with our example of improving time to antibiotics for patients with sepsis, and introduce the Model for Improvement. We will review what makes a good aim statement, the various categories of measures that can be tracked during a QI project, and the relative merits and challenges of potential change concepts and ideas. We will also present the Model for Improvement’s rapid-cycle change methodology, the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle. The final article in this series will focus on the evaluation and sustainability of QI projects.

Abstract P494: Long-term Outcomes of a Cluster-randomized Trial Testing the Effects Blood Pressure Telemonitoring and Pharmacist Management

Hypertension ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L Margolis ◽  
Stephen E Asche ◽  
Anna R Bergdall ◽  
Steven P Dehmer ◽  
Beverly B Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Home Blood Pressure ◽  
Uncontrolled Hypertension ◽  
Routine Clinical Care ◽  
Differential Reduction ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Background/Aims: Hypertension is a common condition and leading cause of cardiovascular disease. We previously reported results of a cluster-randomized trial evaluating a home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring and pharmacist management intervention, with significant reductions in BP favoring the intervention arm over 18 months. This analysis examined the durability of the intervention effect on BP through 54 months of follow-up and compared BP measurements performed in the research clinic and in routine clinical care. Methods: The Hyperlink trial randomized 16 primary care clinics having 450 study-enrolled patients with uncontrolled hypertension to either Telemonitoring Intervention (TI) or usual care (UC) study arms. BP was measured as the mean of 3 measurements obtained at each research clinic visit. General linear mixed models utilizing a direct likelihood-based ignorable approach for missing data were used to examine change from baseline to 54 months in systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP). Results: Research clinic BP measurements were obtained from 326 (72%) study patients at the 54 month follow-up visit. Routine clinical care BP measurements were obtained from 444 (99%) of study patients from 7025 visits during the follow-up period. For TI patients, based on research clinic measurements baseline SBP was 148.2 mm Hg and 54 month follow-up was 131.2 mm Hg (-17.0 mm Hg, p<.001). For UC patients, baseline SBP was 147.7 mm Hg and 54 month follow-up was 131.7 mm Hg ( -16.0 mm Hg, p<.001). The differential reduction by study arm in SBP from baseline to 54 months was -1.0 mm Hg (95% CI: -5.4 to 3.4, p=0.63). For TI patients, baseline DBP was 84.4 mm Hg and 54 month follow-up was 77.8 (-6.6 mm Hg, p<.001). For UC patients, baseline DBP was 85.1 mm Hg and 54 month follow-up was 79.1 mm Hg (-6.0 mm Hg, p<.001). The differential reduction by study arm in DBP from baseline to 54 months was -0.6 mm Hg (95% CI: -3.5 to 2.4, p=0.67). SBP and DBP results from routine clinical measurements closely approximated the pattern of results from research clinic measurements. Conclusion: Significant BP reductions in the TI arm relative to UC were no longer seen at 54 month follow-up. To maintain intervention benefits over a longer period of time additional intervention is needed.

scholarly journals OPtimising Treatment for MIld Systolic hypertension in the Elderly (OPTiMISE): protocol for a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e022930 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P Sheppard ◽  
Jenni Burt ◽  
Mark Lown ◽  
Eleanor Temple ◽  
John Benson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Antihypertensive Medication ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Host Institution ◽  
South Central ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionRecent evidence suggests that larger blood pressure reductions and multiple antihypertensive drugs may be harmful in older people, particularly frail individuals with polypharmacy and multimorbidity. However, there is a lack of evidence to support deprescribing of antihypertensives, which limits the practice of medication reduction in routine clinical care. The aim of this trial is to examine whether antihypertensive medication reduction is possible in older patients without significant changes in blood pressure control at follow-up.Methods and analysisThis trial will use a primary care-based, open-label, randomised controlled trial design. A total of 540 participants will be recruited, aged ≥80 years, with systolic blood pressure <150 mm Hg and receiving ≥2 antihypertensive medications. Participants will have no compelling indication for medication continuation and will be considered to potentially benefit from medication reduction due to existing polypharmacy, comorbidity and frailty. Following a baseline appointment, individuals will be randomised to a strategy of medication reduction (intervention) with optional self-monitoring or usual care (control). Those in the intervention group will have one antihypertensive medication stopped. The primary outcome will be to determine if a reduction in medication can achieve a proportion of participants with clinically safe blood pressure levels at 12-week follow-up (defined as a systolic blood pressure <150 mm Hg), which is non-inferior (within 10%) to that achieved by the usual care group. Qualitative interviews will be used to understand the barriers and facilitators to medication reduction. The study will use economic modelling to predict the long-term effects of any observed changes in blood pressure and quality of life.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol, informed consent form, participant information sheet and all other participant facing material have been approved by the Research Ethics Committee (South Central—Oxford A; ref 16/SC/0628), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (ref 21584/0371/001–0001), host institution(s) and Health Research Authority. All research outputs will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.Trial registration numberEudraCT 2016-004236-38;ISRCTN97503221; Pre-results.

Successfully reducing newborn asphyxia in the labour unit in a large academic medical centre: a quality improvement project using statistical process control

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 633-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rikke von Benzon Hollesen ◽  
Rie Laurine Rosenthal Johansen ◽  
Christina Rørbye ◽  
Louise Munk ◽  
Pierre Barker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Process Control ◽  
Statistical Process Control ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Vacuum Extraction ◽  
Statistical Process ◽  
Academic Medical Centre ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Care Bundles

BackgroundA safe delivery is part of a good start in life, and a continuous focus on preventing harm during delivery is crucial, even in settings with a good safety record. In January 2013, the labour unit at Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, undertook a quality improvement (QI) project to prevent asphyxia and reduced the percentage of newborns with asphyxia by 48%.MethodsThe change theory consisted of two primary elements: (1) the clinical content, including three clinical bundles of evidence-based care, a ‘delivery bundle’, an ‘oxytocin bundle’ and a ‘vacuum extraction bundle’; (2) an implementation theory, including improving skills in interpretation of cardiotocography, use of QI methods and participation in a national learning network. The Model for Improvement and Deming’s system of profound knowledge were used as a methodological framework. Data on compliance with the care bundles and the number of deliveries between newborns with asphyxia (Apgar <7 after 5 min or pH <7) were analysed using statistical process control.ResultsCompliance with all three clinical care bundles improved to 95% or more, and the percentages of newborns with pH <7 and Apgar <7 after 5 min were reduced by 48% and 31%, respectively. In general, the QI approach strengthened multidisciplinary teamwork, systematised workflow and structured communication around the deliveries. Changes included making a standard memo in the medical record, the use of a bedside whiteboard, bedside handovers, shared decisions with a peer when using an oxytocin infusion and the use of a checklist before vacuum extractions.ConclusionThis QI project illustrates how aspects of patient safety, such as the prevention of asphyxia, can be improved using QI methods to more reliably implement best practice, even in high-performing systems.

69. A Quality Improvement Project to Increase Larc Follow-Up for Adolescents and Young Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. S36
Author(s):  
Sarah Pitts ◽  
Carly Milliren ◽  
Grace Berg ◽  
Danielle McPeak ◽  
Amy DiVasta
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Quality Improvement Project ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Improvement Project

scholarly journals First line drug treatment for hypertension and reductions in blood pressure according to age and ethnicity: cohort study in UK primary care

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m4080
Author(s):  
Sarah-Jo Sinnott ◽  
Ian J Douglas ◽  
Liam Smeeth ◽  
Elizabeth Williamson ◽  
Laurie A Tomlinson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Black People ◽  
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Treatment Recommendations ◽  
First Line

Abstract Objective To study whether treatment recommendations based on age and ethnicity according to United Kingdom (UK) clinical guidelines for hypertension translate to blood pressure reductions in current routine clinical care. Design Observational cohort study. Setting UK primary care, from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2017. Participants New users of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), and thiazides. Main outcome measures Change in systolic blood pressure in new users of ACEI/ARB versus CCB, stratified by age (< v ≥55) and ethnicity (black v non-black), from baseline to 12, 26, and 52 week follow-up. Secondary analyses included comparisons of new users of CCB with those of thiazides. A negative outcome (herpes zoster) was used to detect residual confounding and a series of positive outcomes (expected drug effects) was used to determine whether the study design could identify expected associations. Results During one year of follow-up, 87 440 new users of ACEI/ARB, 67 274 new users of CCB, and 22 040 new users of thiazides were included (median 4 (interquartile range 2-6) blood pressure measurements per user). For non-black people who did not have diabetes and who were younger than 55, CCB use was associated with a larger reduction in systolic blood pressure of 1.69 mm Hg (99% confidence interval −2.52 to −0.86) relative to ACEI/ARB use at 12 weeks, and a reduction of 0.40 mm Hg (−0.98 to 0.18) in those aged 55 and older. In subgroup analyses using six finer age categories of non-black people who did not have diabetes, CCB use versus ACEI/ARB use was associated with a larger reduction in systolic blood pressure only in people aged 75 and older. Among people who did not have diabetes, systolic blood pressure decreased more with CCB use than with ACEI/ARB use in black people (reduction difference 2.15 mm Hg (−6.17 to 1.87)); the corresponding reduction difference was 0.98 mm Hg (−1.49 to −0.47) in non-black people. Conclusions Similar reductions in blood pressure were found to be associated with new use of CCB as with new use of ACEI/ARB in non-black people who did not have diabetes, both in those who were aged younger than 55 and those aged 55 and older. For black people without diabetes, CCB new use was associated with numerically greater reductions in blood pressure than ACEI/ARB compared with non-black people without diabetes, but the confidence intervals were overlapping for the two groups. These results suggest that the current UK algorithmic approach to first line antihypertensive treatment might not lead to greater reductions in blood pressure. Specific indications could be considered in treatment recommendations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document