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Date and Duration: March 2024 – August 2024 (6 Months)

Hypertension Sprint (HTN)

Purpose

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, affecting 3–11% of all pregnancies, account for 6.3% of maternal deaths in the United States, highlighting a critical need for improved care and prevention. By implementing the Blue Band Program, hospital teams can identify at-risk patients more effectively and adhere to evidence-based care protocols. This Sprint is expected to improve maternal outcomes and advance the prevention and management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

References

1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System.; 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/php/pregnancy-mortality-surveillance/index.html

Goals & Objectives

1. Enhance the recognition of unique risks associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including eclampsia, severe hypertension, and stroke.

2. Promote the use of low-dose aspirin as a preventive measure for Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP).

3. Foster a collaborative approach to problem-solving among healthcare providers to improve outcomes for patients with HDP.

4. Equip hospital teams with tools and strategies to identify and manage hypertensive disorders effectively.

As a result of this Hypertension (HTN) Sprint, nine hospital teams will be implementing Blue Bands in their facilities with MNPQC continuing to work with and support them through this implementation process. These nine teams include Alomere Health Alexandria, Aspirus St. Luke’s Duluth, Essentia Health Brainerd, Hudson Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, Lakewood Health, Northfield Hospital, Ridgeview Medical Center, and Sleepy Eye Medical Center.

How Success Is Tracked

A family of measures is a set of related metrics used in Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives to assess the overall impact, outcomes, and processes of a project. These measures provide a comprehensive picture of the initiative’s effectiveness and guide decision-making. A family of measures typically includes three types of metrics:

Outcome Measures

Definition: Metrics that reflect the ultimate goals or results of the initiative, focusing on the impact on patients, populations, or systems.
Example: Reduction in severe maternal morbidity rates or improvement in patient satisfaction scores.
Purpose: To evaluate whether the initiative achieved its desired results.

Process Measures

Definition: Metrics that assess whether specific actions or interventions were implemented as intended. These focus on the steps or processes involved in achieving the outcome.
Example: Percentage of patients treated for severe hypertension within 60 minutes or compliance with a standardized care pathway.
Purpose: To monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the processes driving the outcomes.

Balancing Measures

Definition: Metrics that ensure improvements in one area do not negatively affect other areas. They check for unintended consequences or trade-offs.
Example: Monitoring readmission rates or the burden of increased documentation on staff.
Purpose: To ensure that changes made to improve one outcome do not create new problems elsewhere.

Toolkit

Our toolkits provide targeted resources specific to each QI program, offering essential materials to support healthcare teams in achieving improvement goals.

Blue Band Provider & Patient Guide
Blue Band Booklet
March of Dimes: Low Dose, Big Benefits Campaign

Reports

2024 Hypertension (HTN) Sprint Report

Download

MNPQC’s Quality Improvement Programs were developed with support and guidance from hospital teams and professional faculty throughout the state of Minnesota. The contents do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by MNPQC or our partners.