Date
Fall 2023
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Department
College of Nursing
First Advisor
Margaret Selph
Abstract
Problem Statement: Adult patients with uncontrolled hypertension at Saluda Pointe Urgent Care (SPUC) do not have an established primary care provider (PCP) for follow-up.
Purpose: To improve access to care by establishing patients with uncontrolled hypertension (>140/90) with a PCP.
Method: Implement a PCP referral at SPUC for patients with uncontrolled hypertension. The Primary Care Connection Center (PCCC) contacted the referred patients within 72 hours to schedule an appointment. An Organizational Change Management (OCM) Solutions survey measured provider attitude and readiness for change before and after implementation.
Inclusion Criteria: Adult patients 18 and older, without an established PCP, with blood pressures greater than 140/90.
Analysis: PCCC attempted to establish 35 patients. Of these, 24 patients attended their appointments, resulting in a 69% adherence rate. After implementation, a matched t-test (parametric test) and Sign rank test (non-parametric test) were analyzed for the provider survey, which yielded significant p values at the 0.05 alpha level for 3 of 4 metrics: “The current process of referring patients with a diagnosis of hypertension is efficient,” “The current process is beneficial to patients and providers,” and “I am adequately trained in the process of referring patients with hypertension to primary care.”
Implications for Practice: Implementing a PCP referral process in urgent care increased the number of patients with an established PCP and improved access to care. Although the process change was successful, exploring low provider utilization is recommended for future quality improvement projects.
Recommended Citation
Scott, Teri Alesha, "Implementation of a PCP Referral in Urgent Care for Patients With Hypertension" (2023). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 48.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/dnp_projects/48
Rights
© 2023, Teri Alesha Scott