Abstract
Abstract P301: The Proportion Of Physician Notes Addressing Elevated Blood Pressures Varies Dramatically Across Internal Medicine Specialties
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979), Vol.79(Suppl_1)
09/2022
DOI: 10.1161/hyp.79.suppl_1.P301
Abstract
Introduction:
Approximately 20% of U.S. adults are unaware that they have a diagnosis of hypertension (HTN). Of those diagnosed, almost half are uncontrolled. This study provides a potential explanation of these care gaps: providers whose specialization does not include cardiovascular disease rarely document HTN, even when the patient has markedly elevated blood pressures (BPs) during their visit.
Methods:
We randomly sampled ten thousand patients with clinic visits after Jan 1, 2017.We then selected notes from only these visits with patient BPs above 140/90. The assessment and plans (A/Ps) of these notes were searched for words related to elevated BP or HTN. A/Ps with no mention of BP or HTN were considered not to have addressed hypertension. Results were grouped by the specialties listed in the figure.
Results:
We found 5674 clinic visits with associated BPs above 140/90. A/Ps from nephrology, cardiology, and general internal medicine visits mentioned elevated BP at least 50% of the time (in 55 of 77, 206 of 366, and 251 of 438 encounters, respectively). In contrast, A/Ps from encounters with allergy/immunology, endocrinology, and rheumatology specialists referenced the patient’s BP less than 10% of the time (in 3 of 52, 0 of 15, and 10 of 124 encounters, respectively. See figure).
Discussion:
Our results suggest specialties focused on the management of HTN are substantially more likely to address elevated BP in their documentation. However, there appears to be room for improvements in documentation across all specialties. Future studies will measure the impact of these missed opportunities on the diagnosis and management of HTN.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Abstract P301: The Proportion Of Physician Notes Addressing Elevated Blood Pressures Varies Dramatically Across Internal Medicine Specialties
- Creators
- Samuel Zetumer - University of IowaPhilip Polgreen - University of IowaManish Suneja - University of IowaLinnea Polgreen - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979), Vol.79(Suppl_1)
- DOI
- 10.1161/hyp.79.suppl_1.P301
- ISSN
- 0194-911X
- eISSN
- 1524-4563
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2022
- Academic Unit
- Infectious Diseases; Epidemiology; Economics; Pharmacy Practice and Science; Injury Prevention Research Center; Nephrology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984363424902771
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