Nurse-Managed Hypertension Care in Primary Health Care Centers in Region Stockholm and Its Association With Blood Pressure Control and Key Indicators for Contractual Follow-Up

The study aimed to investigate if primary health care centers (PHCCs) offering nurse-managed hypertensive care differ from PHCCs with other types of hypertension care regarding blood pressure levels and other key indicators. In this cross-sectional study of the hypertension care given in PHCCs in Stockholm County (now called Region Stockholm), we included all 227 PHCCs in the region. To assess the extent of nurses' involvement in the PHCCs hypertension care, a questionnaire was distributed to all PHCCs in Region Stockholm. Data on blood pressure levels was collected from a primary health care quality system (Primary Care Quality). Data on key indicators regarding follow-up was obtained from the Region Stockholm database on follow-up (LUD). Blood pressure levels and LUD-data were then analyzed with regards to whether the PHCC had nurse-managed hypertension care or not. Our analysis comprised 119 267 patients diagnosed with hypertension registered in any of the regions 227 PHCCs. Of the 81 PHCCs that responded to the questionnaire, 55 reported having nurse-managed hypertension care, and 26 were classified as having non-nurse managed hypertension care, while 146 were classified as unknown type of hypertension care. There were no differences in patients reaching desired blood pressure levels between nurse-managed and non-nurse-managed hypertension care. Nurse-led hypertension care units were on par with the other types of PHCCs. Thus, nurse-led hypertension care seems to be as safe and effective as other types of hypertension care in PHCCs.