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Undiagnosed hypertension in the ED setting--an unrecognized opportunity by emergency nurses.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Tanabe, P; Steinmann, R; Kippenhan, M; Stehman, C; Beach, C
Published in: Journal of emergency nursing
June 2004

Hypertension is often undiagnosed, untreated, undertreated, and poorly controlled. Many patients use the emergency department as their primary source of health care, and the emergency department represents an opportunity to identify undiagnosed hypertension. We sought to (1) identify the prevalence of elevated blood pressures in low-acuity patients and (2) describe the existing practice of reassessment, treatment, and referral of abnormal vital signs in these patients.We conducted a retrospective study of 88 ED patients at an academic medical center. All patients meeting Emergency Severity Index level 4 or 5 criteria (low acuity) were eligible. The following variables were recorded: triage level, medical history and medications, disposition, and all blood pressures. The investigators independently reviewed and reached consensus regarding the following outcome variables: the need for and actual treatment of elevated blood pressure, and the need for and referral for blood pressure recheck after discharge.Thirty-seven patients (45%) had hypertension by definition on arrival. Systolic hypertension was more common. Ten of the patients (27%) with elevated blood pressures had documented rechecks prior to discharge in the emergency department, and only one patient was referred for follow-up. Twenty-seven out of 37 low-acuity patients (73%) who presented with elevated blood pressures had no documentation of the blood pressure being rechecked and no documentation of the patient being referred.Our data suggest that important opportunities for education and follow-up of hypertension are being missed.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of emergency nursing

DOI

EISSN

1527-2966

ISSN

0099-1767

Publication Date

June 2004

Volume

30

Issue

3

Start / End Page

225 / 229

Related Subject Headings

  • Retrospective Studies
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Prevalence
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Nursing
  • Nurse's Role
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Tanabe, P., Steinmann, R., Kippenhan, M., Stehman, C., & Beach, C. (2004). Undiagnosed hypertension in the ED setting--an unrecognized opportunity by emergency nurses. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 30(3), 225–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2004.01.009
Tanabe, Paula, Rebecca Steinmann, Matt Kippenhan, Christine Stehman, and Christopher Beach. “Undiagnosed hypertension in the ED setting--an unrecognized opportunity by emergency nurses.Journal of Emergency Nursing 30, no. 3 (June 2004): 225–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2004.01.009.
Tanabe P, Steinmann R, Kippenhan M, Stehman C, Beach C. Undiagnosed hypertension in the ED setting--an unrecognized opportunity by emergency nurses. Journal of emergency nursing. 2004 Jun;30(3):225–9.
Tanabe, Paula, et al. “Undiagnosed hypertension in the ED setting--an unrecognized opportunity by emergency nurses.Journal of Emergency Nursing, vol. 30, no. 3, June 2004, pp. 225–29. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.jen.2004.01.009.
Tanabe P, Steinmann R, Kippenhan M, Stehman C, Beach C. Undiagnosed hypertension in the ED setting--an unrecognized opportunity by emergency nurses. Journal of emergency nursing. 2004 Jun;30(3):225–229.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of emergency nursing

DOI

EISSN

1527-2966

ISSN

0099-1767

Publication Date

June 2004

Volume

30

Issue

3

Start / End Page

225 / 229

Related Subject Headings

  • Retrospective Studies
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Prevalence
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Nursing
  • Nurse's Role
  • Middle Aged
  • Male