Change Ideas
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Focus on data discipline to support primary care providers to screen populations with the intent to measure blood pressure
- Implement an evidence-informed hypertension flow sheet (e.g., see Hypertension Management Program– Getting Started Toolkit for Primary Care for resources) for standardized, consistent assessment and documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR)
- Map the hypertension patient journey from diagnosis through treatment including anti-hypertensive medications where relevant, as well as other management interventions
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Decision support aids for patients
- Implement the provision of website links, online and paper-based information tools to support self-management and increase awareness of hypertension risks and/or management of BP (e.g., patient resources from the Hypertension Management Program– Getting Started Toolkit for Primary Care, Hypertension Canada, & Heart and Stroke Foundation)
- Implement the administration of effective behavioural counseling within your practice. Streamline provision of website links, online and paper-based information tools to support self-management in addressing modifiable risk factors (e.g. smoking cessation, weight loss, diet, & exercise programs)
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Decision support aids for health care professionals (HCP)
- HCP and staff training/education (e.g., hypertension management best practices)
- Implement a hypertension management medical directive (e.g., Vascular Health Medical Directives when available) to enhance capacity for interprofessional team collaboration in care delivery
Vascular Health Primary Care Work Group
Last Updated: February 3, 2017