Through support from the American Heart Association (AHA), Scenic Bluffs began a self-monitoring blood pressure program for patients this spring. This program is aimed to increase patient's awareness of their blood pressure, accuracy of their readings, and improve their health outcomes.
According to the AHA, self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) is when you measure your blood pressure outside of the doctor’s office or other health care settings. By having access to blood pressure monitoring equipment in your home, you can measure your blood pressure at different times throughout the day and over a longer period of time. This helps your providers get a more complete picture of your blood pressure. Having at-home access to this equipment can also help get the most accurate blood pressure readings, as the patient is in familiar surroundings, not experiencing the stress often inherent in a health care setting. By using SMBP you and your care team can come up with a treatment plan to better control your blood pressure, which can prevent more serious health problems.
Patients participating in this program at Scenic Bluffs receive a SMBP kit for take-home use. The kit is packaged with a blood pressure cuff, instructions, educational materials, a calendar/log and a pen. Participating patients also receive a tutorial on how to use the device and how to log and collect data.
Scenic Bluffs in nationally recognized for clinical quality standards. The addition of the SMBP program is another tool used to ensure we are serving the health needs of our communities and improving health outcomes.