The Effectiveness of a Preoperative Blood Pressure Screening Program to Identify Undiagnosed Hypertension in Ambulatory Surgery Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Elevated blood pressure is the largest contributing risk factor to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, hypertension affects nearly 30% of the adult population. Many patients remain undiagnosed, despite the consensus that screening and timely diagnosis is paramount. In this study, 108 ambulatory surgery patients with elevated blood pressure (160/90) that are not yet formally diagnosed with hypertension will be enrolled and alerted of their high blood pressure by a co-investigator MD. They will request permission to follow-up with the patient and the patient's primary care provider 6 months after the initial phone call to check in on the status of their diagnosis and any action taken (lifestyle changes, medication) to alleviate their high blood pressure. Patients will receive a follow-up letter/email at 6 and 3 months to remind them of their potential diagnosis.

Official Title
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The Effectiveness of a Preoperative Blood Pressure Screening Program to Identify Undiagnosed Hypertension in Ambulatory Surgery Patients

Conditions
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Hypertension, Perioperative Hypertension

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Anesthesiologist phone call


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients undergoing elective ambulatory surgery Patients with a pre-operative elevated BP defined as greater than 160/90 Patients above the age of 18 English speaking Exclusion Criteria: Patients with a pre-existing diagnosis of HTN Patients who are taking a hypertensive medication Patients who had a pre-operative surgical screening assessment

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Potential Undiagnosed HTN<br> | Other: Anesthesiologist phone call<br>* Patients receiving ambulatory surgery with no prior diagnosis of hypertension but have elevated blood pressure prior to surgery. Patients will receive a phone call from a participating anesthesiologist 1-3 days after surgery notifying them of their high blood pressure and obtaining oral consent to participate in the study. Patients will receive reminders via mail about following up with their PCP.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Diagnosis of hypertension 6 months after surgery | The number of patients with previously undiagnosed hypertension that have obtained a formal diagnosis of hypertension | 6 months postoperative | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PCP follow up 6 months after surgery | Number of patients that followed-up with a primary care physician for further hypertension testing within 6 months of surgery | 6 months postoperative | 
| Hypertension treatment 6 months after surgery | Number of patients that followed-up for their hypertension that received some sort of treatment, either medication or lifestyle | 6 months postoperative |