Identifying at-risk patients through community pharmacy-based hypertension and stroke prevention screening projects.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate whether a community pharmacist can be successful in identifying and referring patients with elevated blood pressure and/or increased risk of stroke.


METHODS
An independent community pharmacy and well-elderly housing facility in rural Iowa.


METHODS
The pharmacy had dedicated space for patient care activities, had a community pharmacy practice resident, and served as a clerkship site for a local school of pharmacy. One of three well-elderly housing facilities in the same community was used as a screening site for the stroke prevention program.


METHODS
All adults entering the pharmacy duringthe time the blood pressure project was underway were offered a free blood pressure screening. If readings were elevated, patients were referred to their primary care provider. For stroke prevention, a screening using the American Heart Association stroke risk assessment protocol was held at the pharmacy and the well-elderly housing facility.


METHODS
Blood pressure categories and stroke risk (normal, mild, moderate, and high) categories obtained during the screening.


RESULTS
A total of 351 patients werescreened for hypertension. Of these, 216 (62%) had readings greater than 140/90 mm Hg. Of the 121 patients referred to their physician, 43 (36%) had a regimen change. A total of 50 patients were screened for stroke risk. Results of the risk assessments for patients screened were normal, 4%; mild, 26%; moderate, 32%; high, 38%.


CONCLUSIONS
These projects demonstrated that, through ongoing screening programs, community pharmacists are in an ideal position to screen patients at risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and refer patients to their physicians for further evaluation.
Mangum
Stacy A
SA
School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, M3-C19 Medical School, 2411 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO 64108-2792, USA. mangums@umkc.edu
Kraenow
Kim R
KR
Narducci
Warren A
WA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*