The Effects of Community Health Nurse Monitoring on Hypertension Identification and Control

Abstract

Identification and control of hypertension are important public health concerns. Lack of regular health care makes diagnosis and control difficult in some populations. Community health nursing services in settings where clients regularly congregate promote identification and control of hypertension. This study focused on the effects of community health nursing screening and monitoring services for hypertension provided to participants in a breadline, a senior nutrition program, an English as Second Language (ESL) class, and employees providing these services. Community health nurses (CHNs) provided 2,407 blood pressure-related service encounters. Blood pressures were elevated in 19% of encounters, and 10% of clients had elevations that warranted referral for medical assistance. At the end of the 18-month study period, 67% of all clients with elevations and 71% of those referred for medical assistance had achieved normal blood pressures. One-way analysis of variance indicated a significant relationship between the number of encounters with the nurses and a positive outcome for all clients with elevations. This relationship was not supported for those clients referred to medical assistance. The effectiveness of intervention appeared to vary somewhat among subgroups with some groups more likely than others to achieve a positive outcome. Group differences in outcome were not statistically significant.

The effect of patient education and home monitoring on medication compliance, hypertension management, healthy lifestyle behaviours and BMI in a primary health care setting

“…The current results are in agreement with many studies showing that educational initiatives in hypertensive patients increase medication adherence and healthy lifestyle behaviours and decrease blood pressure levels (Bosworth et al. 2005, Clark et al. 2000, Rudd et al.…”

“…Effect of patient education and home monitoring medication adherence and healthy lifestyle behaviours and decrease blood pressure levels (Bosworth et al 2005, Clark et al 2000, Rudd et al 2004, Ç akır 2003, Garcia-Pena et al 2001, Svetkey et al 2005. Similarly, Canzanello et al (2005) reported significant decreases in blood pressures of hypertensive individuals following an education programme taught by physicians and nurses promoting medication adherence and health lifestyle behaviours.…”

Factors associated to patients' noncompliance with hypertension treatment

“…Frequent encounters yield better monitoring of blood pressure levels and provide opportunities to access information, such as orientation regarding the medication and non-medication regimens (17) . One of the main benefits of a higher number of medical visits is the possibility to adjust the therapy and monitor the occurrence of side effects.…”

Reasons why Hypertensive Patients Admission to Emergency Services and their Chronic Illness Care Management

“…In Landenpera and Kyngas's [29], qualitative study, hypertensive individuals expected to be informed about their illness by healthcare professionals, to be monitored regularly and to receive patient-centered care and treatment so that they could keep their blood pressure under control. Clark, Curan and Noji [30], observed that thanks to training given by and home visits paid by public health nurses to hypertensive patients, the blood pressure levels of 71% of the patients were within normal values. In another study' findings [11], showed that the interventions performed on the experimental group raised patients' awareness, reduced the number of visits to the doctor, their salt intake and their BMI, and increased their compliance with medication.…”