Hypertension Management QI Module

As a free benefit of membership, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians has created the Hypertension Management Quality Improvement (QI) Module to assist members and their practice teams in improving the care provided to patients diagnosed with hypertension.

The module has been approved by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) as an alternative Family Medicine Certification Performance Improvement (PI) activity for 20 PI points and by the American Academy of Family Physicians for 20 continuing medical education credits.

Following the 2014 Evidence-Based Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults report from the panel members appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8), module participants will be guided through three phases:
  • A pre-assessment phase to evaluate the current practice’s care delivery and selection of a plan for improvement using a Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle
  • An action phase for the practice to implement its plan for improvement for a minimum of three months
  • A post-assessment phase to analyze data, reflect on successes and challenges incurred, and evaluate the program.

For an overview on completing the module, watch the video below.

“Educating patients on the importance of compliance and lifestyle changes is an ongoing process. By completing this module, our office has increased its focus on providing goals and educational materials to our patients who battle hypertension to help them meet their goals,” stated a module participant.

ACCESS MODULE

Once the module has been completed, the OAFP will report final credit of the participating member physician to the AAFP and the ABFM. View the module tutorial video for a detailed explanation on completing the module.

If you have questions regarding this module, please contact Director of Performance Improvement Erin Jech or call 800.742.7327.

Resources, References & Tools for Completing the Module

Within the module, once you complete your practice assessment and chart review, you will focus on a practice improvement strategy. Below are pathways within the module that you can choose from to improve the care of patients diagnosed with hypertension. Within each pathway are several interventions. To complete this module, you will need to select one intervention to implement into practice.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been approved by the ABFM for Performance Improvement credit toward Family Medicine Certification Requirements. Term of approval is for two years that began on January 1, 2018, with the option for yearly renewal thereafter. Please note that once an activity is started, it must be completed within one calendar year. If the activity is not completed in that time, the activity must be restarted. In addition, for the alternate Performance Improvement activity to apply toward the Family Medicine Certification requirement, it must be completed in the stage the Diplomate wishes to receive the credit. To fully implement your practice improvement plan and analyze your results, it will take you a minimum of three months to complete the process. Please plan accordingly.

Although there is no cost to utilize this module, ABFM Diplomates who complete alternate Performance Improvement activities must submit the required Family Medicine Certification fees to the ABFM in order to receive credit for the alternate activity.

This Performance Improvement in Practice activity, Hypertension Quality Improvement Module, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 20.00 Prescribed credit(s) by the AAFP. Term of approval began January 1, 2018. Term of approval is for two years from this date.

Once the module has been completed, the OAFP will report final credit of the participating member physician to the AAFP and the ABFM so long as the physician’s ABFM and AAFP member numbers were accurately submitted in the profile record. Participants who successfully complete the module, including submitting the evaluation, will have a statement of credit made available immediately.

Learning Objectives

  1. Reflect upon the importance of practice team engagement to manage patients diagnosed with hypertension
  2. Determine the gaps in the care that is currently being provided to patients diagnosed with hypertension
  3. Put interventions into practice, work for improvement in hypertension care management
  4. Demonstrate improvements in patient care as a result of systems changes identified through quality improvement initiatives.

Statement of Need

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death in the United States. Every day, 2,200 people die from cardiovascular diseases—that’s nearly 800,000 Americans each year, or 1 in every 3 deaths. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. One in 3 U.S. adults has high blood pressure, and half of these individuals do not have their condition under control.

According to the State of Ohio’s Prevent and Reduce Chronic Disease Plan 2014-18, Ohioans struggle with more illness and disability than most Americans. In fact, Ohio ranks 37th for health in the country and ranks among the worst in the nation for overall health outcomes.

Hypertension is the most treatable type of cardiovascular disease, and simple interventions can help you to improve the care you provide to your patients diagnosed with high blood pressure. This module follows the 2014 evidence-based guideline for the management of high blood pressure in adults, report from the panel members appointed to the eighth joint national committee.

Faculty

  • Ryan Kauffman, MD, (Project Champion)
  • Kenneth Bertka, MD
  • Douglas Harley, DO
  • Gary LeRoy, MD

Reviewers/Planners

  • Pedro Ballester, MD
  • Joseph P. Hazen, MD
  • Erin Jech
  • Mary Krebs, MD
  • Kate Mahler, CAE
  • Josh Ordway, MD
  • Terry Wagner, DO

Faculty Disclosure

The OAFP adheres to the conflict-of-interest policy of the AAFP as well as to the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the American Medical Association. Current guidelines state that participants in continuing medical education activities should be made aware of any affiliation or financial interest that may affect an author’s article.

The members of this expert panel have completed conflict-of-interest statements. Disclosures do not suggest bias but provide readers with information relevant to the evaluation of the contents of these recommendations.

Commercial Support

This module was supported by Grant Number 2B01OT009042 funded by the CDC. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC or the Department of Health and Human Services.