Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2026 Jun 23:S1553-7250(26)00160-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2026.06.008. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Inequities in blood pressure control and cardiovascular mortality are seen across racial and ethnic groups. One health network, a not-for-profit integrated system in the Southeastern United States, identified a disparity in population-level rates of attainment of hypertension control in their Black adult patients. About 65% of Black patients achieved blood pressure goal, defined as < 140/90 mmHg, compared to 75.6% of patients in other populations. The authors sought to enact a systemwide, multidisciplinary, team-based approach to reduce this health equity gap.
METHODS: A systemwide steering committee, comprised of physicians, advanced practice providers, clinical pharmacists, nursing staff, administrative leadership, and data analytic experts, identified key opportunities to improve treatment of hypertension at the institution. These opportunities included enhanced care coordination across teams, technological advancements in patient and provider messaging, standardized office-based measurement techniques, and integration of clinical pharmacists into the care team.
RESULTS: The percentage of Black patients with controlled blood pressure improved from 64.9% at baseline to 75.5% over two fiscal years. Tactics employed were well received by members of the interdisciplinary care team and were associated with improvements in blood pressure control.
CONCLUSION: Systemwide initiatives designed to improve health equity can be an effective tool to improve the care of marginalized populations. Interdisciplinary and coordinated efforts to improve standardization of evaluation and treatment, enhanced and scaled communication, and outreach to the population of focus can be adapted to address health equity gaps in other health systems and to enhance the quality of patient care provided.
PMID:42436073 | DOI:10.1016/j.jcjq.2026.06.008