A brief office educational intervention improved referral rates for hypertension control in women

As part of an initiative to increase physician awareness about hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD); we studied the effects of a pilot intervention on the rates of referral for uncontrolled hypertension in an Ob-Gyn office. Physicians in an Ob-Gyn practice completed an educational session regarding hypertension and used a 1-page tracking form in their medical records for 3 months. Trained personnel reviewed medical records to compare baseline rates of hypertension control to those at the end of the intervention. Rates of counseling about lifestyle modification to control hypertension were also documented. The rate of referral for hypertension was significantly increased after 3 months (p<0.001). The rates of counseling about CVD risk factors approached 100%. In this study, hypertension was commonly under-treated, despite being a major risk factor for CVD. As primary care physicians, obstetrician-gynecologists are in an excellent position to facilitate evaluation and treatment of hypertension in women. Education about the importance of hypertension control along with a simple tracking form can assist Ob-Gyn physicians in complying with JNC 7 guidelines.