The Feasibility of a Web-based Application to Monitor Home Blood Pressure

Observational studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that clinicians fail to intensify therapy in hypertensive management despite patients not meeting goal. For this reason, patient centered tools can help facilitate meeting goals with the provider. Web-based communication combined with provider care management successfully lowered blood pressure to \<140/90 mm Hg in prior studies of patients with hypertension. Emerging technology now provides the ability for patients to upload self-measured home blood pressure information into their own medical record which may eliminate the need for additional health personnel. This study will investigate the feasibility of health informatics to facilitate better compliance and safety for both provider and patient for hypertension management. The home blood pressure readings along with patient reported symptoms will be recorded using the MyChart, a web-based tool available to all patients receiving care at Loyola University Medical Center. MyChart can be accessed with a hand-held device or home computer. After enrollment, patients will receive a notice every two weeks via MyChart to upload home blood pressure values and patient reported symptoms. This information entered into MyChart by patients will be placed into the electronic health record in a home vital signs flow sheet, which will be separate from the flow sheet of vital signs measured in the clinic. Physicians will receive an alert message when patients upload the blood pressure data. The alert message will provide physicians with the average blood pressure value over the two weeks and will provide simple guidance on whether actions, such as titrating existing medication should be taken (based on whether BP is ≥ 140/90 mmHg). Patients will also be able to track their own home blood pressure values using the MyChart application. As a first step, we are first examining the feasibility of this web-based application and determining the perceptions of both patients and physicians.