Quiana - The VA follows the Controlling High Blood Pressure (CBP) HEDIS measure which requires a blood pressure be taken each year for all patients with a hypertension diagnosis. In primary care, this means that if a patient has not been seen in primary care in over one year, they are not meeting this measure. This is a difficult measure to keep up with, especially with the COVID pandemic and patients avoiding clinic visits. Due to this difficulty, I think all VS should be taken each time the patient is seen whether it's in primary care or a specialty clinic. If during the visit, the patient is not meeting the 140/90 or below requirement, a second BP at the end of the visit should be taken. If the second BP is still not within range, a follow up clinic visit or video visit with the RN is needed. Adopting this as a standardized practice would sure help all clinics meet this HEDIS measure. Attaching the HEDIS requirement here:
Every patient aged 18-85 with a diagnosis of hypertension during the measurement year should have a controlled blood pressure reading documented. Controlling high blood pressure is an important step in preventing heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease, and in reducing the risk of developing other serious conditions. Control is being defined by NCQA HEDIS as: Systolic <140 and Diastolic <90.
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Sally Packard
VA Boise Idaho
Mesa AZ
(805)440-9906
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-19-2022 18:56
From: Quiana Simmons
Subject: Vital sign requirements
Hello all,
I wanted to see if I could get some insight on vital signs in the outpatient setting. Are all vital signs (including pulse ox) required for all patients in primary care? Are there any vitals required for specialties (some or all)? Any insight would be great. Our current SOP does not directly state what is required and my team and I are trying to standardize for primary care, specialties, urgent care, etc. Thanks for any responses.
Quiana Simmons, MSN, RN AMB-BC
Metrohealth Medical Center
Nursing Professional Development Specialist- Ambulatory
Cell: 216-509-5654
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Quiana Simmons
Metrohealth Medical Center
Garfield Heights OH
(216)509-5654
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