The effect of hypertension health management (HHM) using IT for the elderly: A case study in an underdeveloped area of China

Abstract

Purpose We performed a study to determine the effects and influencing factors of a hypertension health management (HHM) program in elderly residents of Chengguan District in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, China. Methods Two hundred seventy-nine elderly residents (aged over 60 years) in Chengguan District were recruited to participate in a virtual nursing home for this study in January 2017. During the following ten months, HHM, including periodic monitoring of blood pressure (BP), health education, and social support, was performed by 11 health management specialists (all with nurse qualification certificates) from Lily Eldercare Center. The BP of all 279 participants was measured every week. Information regarding BP and other records was integrated into the Lily Health Eldercare Cloud Platform, which was supported by an information technology (IT) foundation. The primary outcome measure was BP control at levels lower than 140/90 mmHg. BP levels before and after the intervention were compared. Results after ten months of intervention, BP was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was reduced by 8.98 ± 15.55 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was reduced by 4.86 ± 11.17 mmHg. A significant difference was observed between the proportion of BP control before and after health management (2.58% vs 77.57%, 2 = 23.64, P < 0.05). In addition, the changes in BP values were associated with alcohol consumption, dietary preference, and life satisfaction. Conclusions At-home healthcare management with BP monitoring provided by Lily Eldercare Center significantly improved BP control in the elderly community in an undeveloped area of China.