Development and evaluation of a nurse-led hypertension management model: A randomized controlled trial

The hypertension prevalence rate is increasing but the control rate is unsatisfactory. Nurse-led healthcare may be an effective way to improve outcomes for hypertensive patients but more evidence is required especially at the community level.

This study aims to establish a nurse-led hypertension management model and to test its effectiveness at the community level.

A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was performed in an urban community healthcare center in China. Hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic blood pressure ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90mmHg) were randomly allocated into two groups: the study group (n=67) and the control group (n=67). The nurse-led hypertension management model included four components (delivery system design, decision support, clinical information system and self-management support). Patients in the control group received usual care. Patients in the study group received a 12-week period of hypertension management. The patient outcomes, which involved blood pressure, self-care behaviors, self-efficacy, quality of life and satisfaction, were assessed at three time points: the baseline, immediately after the intervention and 4 weeks after the intervention.

After the intervention, the blood pressure of patients in the study group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group, and the mean reduction of systolic/diastolic blood pressure in the study and control groups was 14.37/7.43mmHg and 5.10/2.69mmHg, respectively (p<0.01). In addition, patients in the study group had significantly greater improvement in self-care behaviors than those in the control group (p<0.01). The study group had a higher level of satisfaction with hypertensive care than the control group (p<0.01). No statistically significant difference in self-efficacy and quality of life was detected between the two groups after the intervention.

The nurse-led hypertension management model is feasible and effective in improving the outcomes of patients with uncontrolled blood pressure at the community level.