Clinical impact of a tiered, pharmacist‐driven remote patient monitoring protocol utilizing self‐measured blood pressure readings

Abstract Introduction Pairing self‐measured blood pressure (SMBP) with protocolized, non‐physician follow‐up consistently improves hypertension (HTN) management. However, these interventions are often resource‐intensive and rely on a degree of technological proficiency that may exclude a vulnerable subset of the population. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to determine the rate of attainment of blood pressure (BP) control (defined as <140/<90 mmHg) based on the most recent clinic‐measured BP readings 12 months or more after enrollment in the Digital Care Monitoring program. The secondary objective was to determine if there was a difference between the most recent clinic‐measured systolic and diastolic BP readings before enrollment compared with 12 months or more after the enrollment eligibility period. Methods This study examined the impact of a tiered, non‐physician SMBP program, engaging patients through a familiar communication medium to relay home BP readings. A pre‐post quality improvement study was conducted in the outpatient arm of an integrated delivery network. Patients meeting selection criteria were invited to voluntarily enroll bi‐monthly from October 2021 to July 2023. Patients consenting to enrollment received reminders twice weekly to respond with home BP readings, and an outreach protocol was established utilizing a medical assistant and clinical pharmacist. Results The rate of attainment of BP control 12 months or more after the enrollment eligibility period was found to be 79.2% ( p < 0.01). BP dropped significantly over the 12‐month treatment course with a mean systolic BP difference of 19.97 mmHg ( p < 0.001) and a mean diastolic BP difference of 12.34 mmHg (p < 0.001). Conclusion The results indicate that a tiered, pharmacist‐driven remote patient monitoring protocol utilizing SMBP readings is an effective management strategy to reduce BP in patients with uncontrolled HTN.