Main topic: Cost and quality in hypertension care.
1. Need to do numbers 1 and 2 in Solution/Intervention and number 2 in Strength and Weaknesses (See Final Project Presentation Rubric file, part Four Core Sections).
For example:
– Number 1 in Solution should describe the setting for the project, focusing on a specific population or group of patients. Is there any specific medication being used? Is this an emergency department? etc.
– Number 2 in Solution should be clear about what method or solution was used to address the problem. If the study has multiple phases, what are they? what happened? What got implemented and which group of people were responsible in each phase?
2. There is one backbone resource provided (See Cost and quality in hypertension care file). Need one or more resources (as long as all the sections above are covered). External resources need to be relevant and in line with the main topic.
3. Refer to the example of a presentation included (See Example of Final Project Presentation-CAUTI file). For example:
-Slide 1: Key people/organizations involved
-Slide 2: Area chosen for the study
-Slide 3: Medication process involved
-Slide 4: Key Intervention
Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and do a physical examination. The doctor, nurse or other medical assistant will place an inflatable arm cuff around your arm and measure your blood pressure using a pressure-measuring gauge.
Your blood pressure generally should be measured in both arms to determine if there is a difference. It’s important to use an appropriate-sized arm cuff.
Blood pressure measurements fall into several categories:
Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important. But after age 50, the systolic reading is even more important. Isolated systolic hypertension is a condition in which the diastolic pressure is normal (less than 80 mm Hg) but systolic pressure is high (greater than or equal to 130 mm Hg). This is a common type of high blood pressure among people older than 65.
Because blood pressure normally varies during the day and may increase during a doctor visit (white coat hypertension), your doctor will likely take several blood pressure readings at three or more separate appointments before diagnosing you with high blood pressure.
Your doctor may ask you to record your blood pressure at home to provide additional information and confirm if you have high blood pressure.
Home monitoring is an important way to confirm if you have high blood pressure, to check if your blood pressure treatment is working or to diagnose worsening high blood pressure.
Home blood pressure monitors are widely available and inexpensive, and you don’t need a prescription to buy one. Home blood pressure monitoring isn’t a substitute for visits to your doctor, and home blood pressure monitors may have some limitations.
Make sure to use a validated device, and check that the cuff fits. Bring the monitor with you to your doctor’s office to check its accuracy once a year. Talk to your doctor about how to start checking your blood pressure at home.
Devices that measure your blood pressure at your wrist or finger aren’t recommended by the American Heart Association because they can provide less reliable results.
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend tests to confirm the diagnosis and check for underlying conditions that can cause hypertension.