Emergency Department (ED) clinicians encounter patients with asymptomatic hypertension (HTN) on a daily basis but usually fail to intervene. This pilot study will determine the utility of a novel intervention: Telehealth Referral to Improve Outcomes (TRIO), a conceptually driven information technology tool focused on patients who are asymptomatic and hypertensive upon ED discharge. It is designed to successfully link them to a primary care provider (PCP) after ED discharge to improve blood pressure (BP) control. 48 adult ED patients who have asymptomatic HTN (BP >/= 140/90 mmg and </= 180/120 mmHg) and who will be discharged will be enrolled in the study. This study is a single-site, 3-arm randomized controlled pilot trial. All patients will receive a wireless BP monitor and tablet. Group 2 (N=16) will additionally receive a telehealth consult with an RN at day 3. Group 3 (N=16) will additionally receive a telehealth consult with an RN at day 3 and day 7. The research team will collect feasibility outcomes: (recruitment rate, retention rate, and attrition rate of patients enrolled in TRIO at 6-months and 12-months. The research team will evaluate BP control and engagement with primary care at 6-months and 12-months and compare between groups.
Emergency patients often have uncontrolled asymptomatic hypertension upon discharge from the emergency department. This 3-arm randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of nurse telehealth encounters and remote patient monitoring, using a software called Vital Tech, on blood pressure control and primary care engagement.