Introduction
Hypertension is one of the world’s most common medical conditions, which negatively impact the quality of life. It is estimated that approximately nine million people die each year because of the elevated blood pressure and its subsequent complications (Kitt et al., 2019). Not only can hypertension itself cause negative symptoms, but it is also a risk factor for larger cardiovascular diseases. Many people have to cope with this condition even after being discharged from hospitals, which implies out-patient care. The lack of doctors or other medical personnel in the vicinity necessitates the use of technology to facilitate care and prevent sudden health deterioration.
The condition itself refers to the situation when the arteries are pressured by blood so much that the walls of the arteries may be damaged. Blood pressure is a normal physiological phenomenon, which occurs when blood presses against arteries. Arteries allow blood to flow throughout the body to supply the tissue. However, if there is excessive pressure of blood against the artery walls, there is a risk of aneurysms, clots, strokes, and heart attacks. Subsequently, people with hypertension have to constantly measure the levels of their blood pressure and manage it.
The search for technology, which would help patients manage hypertension is a recurring theme in current research. Although most people associate medical advancements with high-precision surgery equipment, in reality, medical sphere can incorporate technological innovations, which are present in the daily life. The modern era is characterized by almost universal digitalization, which can also be applied to healthcare. Digital technology is beneficial because it removes inconvenience of constant manual data retrievals. Understanding what modern technological solutions can alleviate the inconvenience of monitoring blood pressure is essential in ascertaining their applicability to caring for patients with hypertension.
Literature Review
Overall, five sources are studied, which provide insight into the management of hypertension. The first common theme is the importance of measurement in management of blood pressure. For instance, Dzau and Balatbat (2019) note that “recent research has not yielded major advances in hypertension” (p. 451). There are no new drugs, which would ease patients’ symptoms. Treatment for hypertension is a life-long endeavor, which does not have a short-term solution. Furthermore, Dzau and Balatbat (2019) believe that researchers are not inclined to make breakthroughs now and are more focused on detection. Subsequently, the current tendency is to emphasize monitoring as the major step in hypertension management.
Second, all studies agree that the traditional method of measuring blood pressure is inconvenient, time-consuming, and may even exacerbate the patients’ condition. Caring for patients with hypertension requires constant monitoring of blood pressure. The sooner the problem becomes evident, the quicker the doctor can administer appropriate treatment. Therefore, detection is the most important issue in hypertension care (Omboni, 2019). Modern technology allows people to measure their blood pressure without medical help. However, traditional home blood pressure monitoring is problematic due to its inconvenience to patients (Robbins et al., 2020). Not only does measuring blood pressure require using a sphygmomanometer, but it also has to be done at night as readings have to be as comprehensive as possible. As a result, patients’ sleep is disturbed, which causes further damage because they do not get enough rest.
The third theme is the use of digital tools, which would help alleviate the inconvenience. Omboni (2019) writes that “the most popular telemedicine application in the field of hypertension is blood pressure telemonitoring (BPT)” (p. 3). An automated blood pressure device is installed on a patient’s wrist. The device has a screen, which depicts the readings of blood pressure. At the same time, the device transmits data to electronic health records, which are viewed by the patient’s doctor. The result is the 247 monitoring of blood pressure with minimum discomfort inflicted on a patient (Filipovský et al., 2016). An automated blood pressure device is a technological element, which can significantly improve care to a patient with hypertension.
Description of the Case
The patient under focus is a fifty-five year old male with a history of hypertension. He has been admitted to the hospital for acute care several times. Currently, he is at home receiving out-patient care, which manifests in frequent consultations with the doctor. The patient has to constantly measure his blood pressure in order to prevent the uncontrolled conditions, which are caused by constant hypertension. The necessity to make regular checks is the first problem the patient experiences. As he is required to check his blood pressure at night as well, the patient has frequent sleep disturbances, which leave him without sufficient rest.
The second problem is the response to the abnormally high blood pressure. Whereas in the hospital, there was always a nurse in vicinity who would report any health deterioration, the patient has to rely exclusively on himself. Subsequently, he is not aware if his blood pressure becomes excessively elevated during sleep because he can only measure it while awake. Furthermore, once the patient becomes aware of the readings, he has to wait until the doctor is informed and can prescribe treatment. This waiting period may result in complications, which can be avoided if the doctor knows immediately of the changes in the patient’s condition.
The third problem lies in the patient’s tendency to underestimate the severity of his condition. One of the largest dangers of hypertension is that blood pressure can increase without a person feelings any symptoms. As a result, the patient has only sphygmomanometer to inform him of any physiological changes. The patient tends to mistake the absence of symptoms for recovery and forgets to measure blood pressure. When his real condition does worsen, it is too late to take any preventive actions, which do not necessitate acute care.
Finally, there is the issue of the patient’s religious worldview. On the one hand, being a Christian, the patient places substantial value on his health and uses his faith as a motivational tool, which helps him recover. On the other hand, the faith encourages humble attitude, which leads to the patient devaluing his own well-being. Subsequently, he is not willing share his health issues with the doctor unless it is acute pain or discomfort, which he cannot endure on his own. As a result, the patient’s religion-based humbleness and ability to withstand long periods of pain leads to the deterioration of his condition.
Technological Solution
Modern technology allows data to be transferred instantly with no physical wires. The device can be distanced anywhere as long as the connection with the central processing unit is maintained. Wireless communication removes the necessity of doctors, nurses or other caretakers to be physically present near the patients to monitor their condition. Moreover, the data feed from linked devices is automatically saved and stored electronically. This implies that chances of false data readings due to human errors are minimized.
The second benefit is the 24/7 monitoring of the patient’s blood pressure. All the patients need to do is wear the device, which will proceed to analyze their health indicators. Neither the patients, not their caretakers have to constantly measure blood pressure, as the device is automatic. This is especially beneficial at night, when patients sleep and do not have to be woken for the test.
Finally, the doctors receive the data input without any delay. The only obstacles to data transfer are either hardware malfunction or software errors. The patient cannot forget to measure their blood pressure, nor can they deliberately miss the test. By removing human factor from the equation, this technology provides the doctors with unbiased, objective, and correct readings 247. The problem of informing the doctors is also solved as the system will automatically alert them.
Technology’s Applicability to the Case
When applied to this case’s patient, automated blood pressure device used together with the BPT has the capacity to solve all his problems. First, his regular sleep disruptions, which are caused by the necessity to regularly measure blood pressure will be stopped. The device gathers data automatically without any input from the person who wears it. Furthermore, there will be less psychological pressure on the patient. Each time the patient manually measures blood pressure, he expects alarming readings, the anticipation of which increases the risk of higher blood pressure. While wearing the automated device, the patient is not actually aware of data retrieval, which means that no external stimuli will cause the anxiety reaction.
Second, BPT allows fast transmission of patient’s health data to the doctor’s office. Electronic communication removes the problem of waiting for a consultation. Whereas currently it is the responsibility of the patient to consult a doctor, immediate data transmission will enable the doctor to assign a consultation, when there is an indication of deterioration. If the doctor decides that an appropriate action cannot be delayed, they will be able to call the patient. The use of BPT with an automated blood pressure device shifts the responsibility on the doctor and improves the likelihood of timely treatment.
Third, the greater involvement of automated electronics removes the problem of the patient’s subjective perception. Even if the patient forgets about measuring his blood pressure, it will still be analyzed and sent to the electronic health records. Also, the patient cannot deliberately forgo measuring, as the procedure is fully automated. In case the patient decides to remove the device from his wrist, the doctor will know it once the data is not received. The device minimizes the patient’s role and possible harm he can inflict to himself by refusing or forgetting to measure blood pressure.
Finally, the device will not contradict the patient’s Christian worldview. As he willingly accepts the treatment prescribed by the doctor, it should be ensured that the doctor is informed. The BPT system with the connected automated measuring device will circumvent the patient’s unwillingness to share his health issues (Robbins et al., 2020). Combined with the patient’s mental strength originating in his devotion to Christianity, the use of wireless automated technology will help the doctor monitor the patient’s condition and help him recover.
Summary of the Case Integrating Proposed Solution
The proposed solution is asking the patient to consent to the use of BPT with the connected automated blood pressure device. The patient’s wrist should be examined in order to ensure that no rashes, skin irritations, or other conditions damage the patient’s health (Filipovský et al., 2016). Then, the automated device has to be installed on his wrist. Once in place, the patient will have to assess the level of discomfort if the device causes any. The patient should be warned that the device be worn constantly in order for the subsequent data transmissions to be consistent.
The patient should also be informed that his personal data will be sent to the doctor’s office. It is important to assure him of the privacy of personal information. As the doctor receives input from the automated blood pressure device, they will offer recommendations to the patient regarding their routine, daily activities, nutrition, and other factors influencing blood pressure. The patient has a right to refuse to the BPT technology, if it brings him discomfort.
Conclusion
This report focused on the topic of caring for a patient with a history of hypertension. As it is a medical condition, which progresses over time, constant monitoring of blood pressure is essential. However, the necessity to check blood pressure disturbs the patient’s sleep and ability to rest. He is also prone to forgetting and dismissing the importance of measuring blood pressure, which is partially fueled by his religiosity. The solution is to use blood pressure telemonitoring, which retrieves the data from an automated blood pressure device on the patient’s wrist directly into the doctor’s office. The use of BPT resolves the problem of sleep disruption, timely intervention, and human input, without contradicting the patient’s religious beliefs.
References
Filipovský, J., Seidlerová, J., Kratochvíl, Z., Karnosová, P., Hronová, M., & Mayer Jr, O. (2016). Automated compared to manual office blood pressure and to home blood pressure in hypertensive patients.Blood Pressure, 25(4), 228-234. Web.
Dzau, V. J., & Balatbat, C. A. (2019). Future of hypertension: The need for transformation.Hypertension, 74(3), 450-457. Web.
Kitt, J., Fox, R., Tucker, K. L., & McManus, R. J. (2019). New approaches in hypertension management: a review of current and developing technologies and their potential impact on hypertension care. Current Hypertension Reports, 21(6), 1-8. Web.
Omboni, S. (2019). Connected health in hypertension management.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 6(76). 1-17. Web.
Robbins, P. A., Scott, M. J., Conde, E., Daniel, Y., Darity, W. A., & Bentley-Edwards, K. L. (2020). Denominational and gender differences in hypertension among African American Christian young adults. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 1-12. Web.