Avtor/Urednik		Kersnik, J
Naslov		Case finding of hypertension in general practice: a quality improvement study from Slovenia
Tip		članek
Vir		In: O'Riordan M, Seuntjens L, Grol R, editors. Improving patient care in primary care in Europe. Houten: Bohn Stafleu Van Loghum,
Leto izdaje		2004
Obseg		str. 142-6
Jezik		eng
Abstrakt		Problem. Early detection of hypertensive patients and timely treatment of hypertension ensure better long-term outcomes. Case finding is an important means of detecting hypertensive patients and thus preventing medical complications of raised blood pressure. The objective of the intervention was to improve the rate of opportunistic blood pressure measurement in general practice patients. Design. A multifaceted quality improvement intervention was undertaken. Regular meetings of the existing team of GPs in the primary health care centre were used to introduce the topic and outline the intervention. Background and setting. Data was obtained from randomly selected patient charts in a group practice of ten GPs serving a mixed urban/rural population of 14,983 adults in Slovenia. Baseline measurement of activity in 1994 and 1995 took place in January 1996. The results of the baseline study were presented at regular staff meetings and the intervention introduced. The follow up assessment of practices in 1996 and 1997 took place in January 1998. Key measures for improvement. An increase in the percentage of non-hypertensive patients having their blood pressure values recorded in their medical records at least once in the previous two years was chosen as a measure of improvement. Strategies for change. GPs received written guidelines and feedback on their performance on opportunistic blood pressure measurements recorded during routine surgery consultations. Patients were encouraged to ask GPs to check their blood pressure at least once every two years using posters displayed in the health centre. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Deskriptorji		BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION HYPERTENSION QUALITY ASSURANCE, HEALTH CARE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SLOVENIA