West Philadelphia’s Spectrum Health Services recently launched its Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) program as part of the Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure initiative, a collaboration of the American Heart Association and Penn Medicine. The collaboration aims to address the high prevalence of hypertension in West and Southwest Philadelphia over the next three years by working with clinical and community partners to implement evidence-based interventions.
An SMBP program enables patients to monitor their blood pressure at home and share the readings with their healthcare providers. This program aids in earlier diagnosis and management of hypertension, increases patient engagement and improves blood pressure control.
“It’s important in the community to help patients check their pressure regularly,” said Tiera McCoy, CRNP, program manager at Spectrum Health “It’s like a competition with themselves that challenges them to reach a health goal to live longer and healthier lives.”
Theresa Moran, director, Care Management and Population Health at Spectrum, agreed. “Adding, “It puts power back into people’s hands and helps them control their own lives. Their health is more than what happens at a doctor’s office.”
This isn’t the first time Spectrum has introduced an SMBP program, but this time, they have dedicated staff and a foundation that includes over a year of planning and organizational support. Pamela Mack-Brooks, director, Nursing and Practice Management, hopes to see more people with controlled blood pressure and for the data to reflect that. “Our goal is teaching patients so that it is generational progress,” she said.
The goal of the Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure initiative is to assist all of its healthcare partners in developing and implementing self-measured blood pressure programs. This is critical for earlier diagnosis so an appropriate treatment plan can be introduced, helping patients live longer, healthier lives.