Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to impact hypertension control of the population utilizing services at a non-profit agency. A Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Nurse Specialist completed development and implementation of this project.|Background: To validate the incidence of hypertension individuals utilizing services of a non-profit agency, a pilot study was conducted to determine incidence of HTN and explore impact of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring on hypertension control in this population.|Description: Using American Heart Association guidelines, blood pressure measurements were conducted and recorded using Omron 760 for both home and clinic visits. Individuals were recruited to participate in study for home blood pressure monitoring and scheduled B/P checks for a six- week period. Community Layworkers were recruited to conduct B/P screenings, make home visits with HTN educational teaching.|Outcome: Twenty-four individuals had blood pressure screened, six individuals proceeded to the BP comparison portion of the study: three in usual care and three in home visit group. There was significant difference in systolic (p=0.0002), pm/am (0.0015) and systolic BP with bi-monthly blood pressure checks (0.0086).|Implications: Community Layworkers did enhance participation and compliance with participants in meeting their cultural needs. Individuals that could benefit from more frequent BP monitoring were able to demonstrate compliance with home BP monitoring.|Conclusion: Home-blood pressure monitoring program following developed protocols for hypertension control was assisted through relationship building with a non-profit agency staff, volunteers and Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Nurse Specialist graduate student.