Recommendations for Hypertension Management in Wisconsin
A Call for Collective Action

WNA is pleased to release two foundational and complementary documents to improve the prevention, detection, and management of hypertension in Wisconsin using patient-centered team-based care. These recommendations are consistent with the newly released guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and others on November 13, 2017. These documents include:

  1. Patient-Centered Team-Based Care in Wisconsin: A Working Conceptual Model
  2. Combined Document- Background, Recommendations, Contributors

These documents will be widely shared with health systems, health plans, local health departments, technical colleges and institutions of higher education, professional organizations/societies, and many others to achieve the following: (1) prevent missed opportunities for detection and treatment, (2) strengthen improvements in the safe delivery and outcomes of care, (3) improve accurate blood pressure measurement training, and (4) foster strong and durable linkages with Wisconsin communities.

One of every three adults in Wisconsin has hypertension or approximately 1.3 million Wisconsin adults. Less than half of adults with hypertension are adequately in control (48%). Among those with uncontrolled hypertension, adults (16%) are unaware they have it, and another 62% of adults with uncontrolled hypertension are seeking treatment, but are still not in control. Nearly 90% of U.S. adults with uncontrolled hypertension have a usual source of health care and insurance, representing a missed opportunity for hypertension control (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2012).

Chart showing WI adults with hypertension

We can do better!

Three priority target populations have been identified by the CDC and Wisconsin Division of Public Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program:

    1. Patients with undiagnosed hypertension, those hiding in plain sight (16%);
    2. Patients whose hypertension is not controlled (52%); and
    3. Patients whose hypertension is controlled (48%).

The recommendations were developed by the Interprofessional Clinical Hypertension Expert Panel October 2016 – May 2017. This panel was convened by the Wisconsin Nurses Association and supported by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services funded by the CDC. The expert panel finalized their recommendations in December 2017.

Recommendations Highlights:

  • Call to Wisconsin health systems and interprofessional patient health care teams to improve in hypertension prevention and control using patient-centered team-based care approaches. Nearly 90% of adults have a usual source of health care and insurance.
  • Call to local health departments and community organizations to provide population health leadership and continue to work toward the development of durable partnerships and linkages with health systems.
  • Practical because the recommendations were developed by experienced frontline clinicians who possess an expert understanding of both health care systems and patient care.
  • Practical because they can be implemented in part or whole, gradually or immediately.

We strive for system-wide collaboration and stronger partnerships to improve patient health and safety and improve population health outcomes. Please assist the Wisconsin Nurses Association by sharing these documents within your organization, with your partners, and in your networks.

For more information, questions, or to champion these concepts and recommendations please contact:

Gina Dennik-Champion, RN, MSN, MSHA
Project Director, Chronic Disease Prevention Grant
Executive Director, Wisconsin Nurses Association
(608) 221-0383
info@wisconsinnurse.wpengine.com