A very new approach was developed at Kaiser Permanente, the big California health care organization. Now 80% of patients using it have their blood pressure under control. (120/80 is normal. High is 140/90 or higher).Can you adapt these new ideas in your program of care? Here’s what Kaiser Permanente did to be successful.1. Started patients on two blood-pressure drugs from the start. (They changed the doctor’s guidelines which had patients started on a single drug before graduating to two)
2. Created a registry of all patients with high blood pressure. Then they telephoned those with no recent checkup asking them to take a blood pressure test.
3. Identified those patients who would benefit from a more effective treatment and told the doctors the information.
4. Sometimes prescribed a pill combining the two drugs instead of two separate pills. Patients appreciated the ease and lower co-pay. They were more likely to take the pill consistently.
5. Performed blood pressure checkups by a medical assistant instead of a doctor. Patients had more flexibility and availability in scheduling. They were more likely to get tests consistently.
6. Encouraged more exercise such as walking three miles, three times a week and a weekly strength-training class.
Does your doctor work with you on these points? Bring them up and discuss what can be done to improve your health based on these steps.
As a designer and entrepreneur, products for women have been my focus through my several companies. First with fun jewelry and then custom toiletries to hotel chains. Later Bay Linens created decorative bedding and home products sold to retailers in the U.S and internationally. In retirement, I started ZestNow.com which has transitioned to https://Upsideof50.com with Ann Baker. We focus on women over 50 who want to expand their vibrant lives and connect with each other.
