November 6, 2018
THEDACARE PHYSICIAN CLINICS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITION COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Awarded BP Gold Achievement Level
APPLETON, Wis. – For the second consecutive year, all ThedaCare Physician Clinics have been recognized as leaders in the national effort to get people’s blood pressure under control. That effort can help reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year.
The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) named ThedaCare Physicians as one of 802 physician practices and health systems nationwide recognized for a commitment to help patients improve blood pressure control through this year’s Target: BP Recognition awards.
“Controlling blood pressure is a team effort between patients and caregivers,” said Dr. Kelli Heindel, ThedaCare’s Medical Director of Primary Care, Clinically Integrated Network. “There is a lot that can be done up front, after and in between visits, such as offering follow-up checks, adjusting medication and making lifestyle changes.”
Launched in 2015, Target: BP is a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the U.S.
To earn the Gold Achievement Level, providers must have 70% or greater blood pressure control rate throughout their adult patient population.
According to the AHA and AMA, of the 103 million Americans with high blood pressure, less than half of them have it controlled to a healthy level. This is despite the fact that high blood pressure can often be managed effectively when patients work with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan. No single risk factor has more impact on the nation’s death rates from cardiovascular disease than high blood pressure.
Dr. Heindel explained that often times, patients don’t think about their blood pressure until there is a problem. She said blood pressure is tied to many long-term health issues. According to Dr. Heindel, ThedaCare staff has made blood pressure rates a priority, explaining risks to the patient and providing them with a plan.
“We really tightened up our check out notes,” said Dr. Heindel. “If there was an elevated reading and the second reading is also elevated, we’ll set patients up for blood pressure checks for free.”
She said staff then works with the patient to make lifestyle or medication changes to help lower blood pressure.
“We applaud the physicians who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems and patients to join this effort to prioritize blood pressure control and increase the national blood pressure control rate. Together, we will be able to save many more lives and improve health outcomes for patients throughout the nation,” said Barbara L. McAneny, M.D., AMA President.
ThedaCare was one of four health systems and eight Wisconsin providers to earn recognition in 2018.
Pictured: ThedaCare Physicians Internal Medicine-Appleton and the Internal Medicine team at ThedaCare Physicians-Neenah
About ThedaCare
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,700 healthcare professionals throughout the regions. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 31 clinics in nine counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service.
For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
Media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public Relations Specialist at 920.830.5847 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
