A collaboration between the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region and Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic, has led to a dramatic improvement in health for clients of the clinic.
In particular, more than half of the patients seen during the collaboration saw an improvement in their blood pressure readings. This is important because high blood pressure often has no symptoms yet is a leading cause of heart disease.
The collaboration also included nutrition security screenings, blood pressure care and support for tobacco cessation. As a result of the collaboration, patients now have a new suite of resources to improve their total health.
Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic is a primary care and health education provider serving low-income residents in Montgomery County, Md., providing low-cost services in multiple languages.
“The program successfully increased patient engagement, improved blood pressure control in most participants and helped providers identify dangerously elevated cases earlier,” said Dany A. Montano RN, B.S.N. and nurse supervisor at Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic. “Continued partnership with the Association remains essential to managing hypertension in our uninsured patient population.”
“Collaborations between the Association and clinics expand access to evidence‑based strategies that improve blood pressure control at the population level, reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications,” said Lucía Zegarra, community impact director, American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region.
Here’s how the two organizations worked together to implement these additional health screenings and why community organizations can benefit from prioritizing them.
Nutrition screenings
Nutrition screenings are an important step to confirm if a patient has consistent access to healthy food and if not, connect them with local food providers. The Heart Association provided the Mansfield Kaseman team with a list of food providers throughout the county to ensure patients had up-to-date information on accessing healthy food. By maintaining healthy eating patterns, patients are taking a critical step to improve their total health.
Blood pressure monitoring
In the DMV (D.C., Maryland and Virginia) region, more than 1 in 4 adults have high blood pressure; keeping blood pressure at a healthy rate is one of the easiest ways to prevent larger heart health issues. The Heart Association helped improve blood pressure care for Mansfield Kaseman patients through improved measurement and treatment. Staff were trained on accurate blood pressure screening measures, as well as total health counseling to help patients improve blood pressure through diet, weight management, exercise, mental health and alcohol and tobacco moderation.
Reducing tobacco use
With support from the Heart Association, the clinic implemented tobacco and nicotine screening to identify patients needing resources for quitting smoking – another critical risk factor for heart disease.
Through these steps, Mansfield Kaseman staff is now better equipped to help patients tackle preventable health risks.
Clinics interested in implementing similar policies can contact Community Impact Director Lucía Zegarra, at Lucia.Zegarra@heart.org to explore the opportunities available for collaboration and support.