A computer-based monitoring system for follow-up of elevated blood pressure.
An automated surveillance system utilizing a computer-based medical record system (COSTAR) was designed to improve the follow-up of patients with newly identified elevated diastolic blood pressure. A population of patients was selected where, in the 6-month period following the initial measurement of an elevated diastolic blood pressure, there were fewer than two visits during which blood pressure was recorded. In a randomized controlled clinical trial, this poor follow-up population was divided into two groups, with computer-generated reminders being automatically generated for only patients in the experimental group. Follow-up was significantly improved in the group receiving the reminders, both in terms of rate of follow-up attempted or achieved by the responsible physician and in the repeated recording of blood pressure. We conclude that a computer-based reminder system improves follow-up of newly discovered elevation in diastolic blood pressure.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001900:Boston; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003201:Computers; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003971:Diastole; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011897:Random Allocation