Building on Innovation to Become a Champion
Plymouth Family Physicians has always been on the cutting edge of primary care improvement. Since founding Plymouth Family Physicians in 1985, the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Mary Arenberg and Dr. George Schroeder have focused on quality improvement activities to provide the best possible care to their patients. “We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to improve what we do,” says Ms. Connie Wittkopp, a certified medical assistant at the practice for over 20 years.
Working with EvidenceNOW practice facilitator, Ms. Julie Schmelzer, the practice team evaluated how best to continue improving their patients’ heart health. “One of the best things [Julie] did was come in and ask us what we were already doing. She recognized we already knew what to do and gave us support and focus to continue,” Dr. Arenberg explains.
Julie and the practice targeted blood pressure as an area where they could make additional improvements in their clinical care. She suggested using a room near the waiting room as a place for blood pressure checks. “We had this room that we used for various purposes, and it just made sense that when a patient comes in for an appointment, you have to sit them down somewhere for a good five minutes before you take their blood pressure,” says Dr. Schroeder. The staff decorated the room with soft lighting and comfortable chairs, giving patients a relaxing place to sit before taking their blood pressure, resulting in more accurate readings.
Now, when a patient comes into the practice, the receptionist guides them back to the small room and notifies a medical assistant. Then, the receptionist and medical assistant set a timer to make sure that the team waits the appropriate amount of time before taking the patient’s blood pressure. “It’s really a team effort,” Connie shares. “Everybody is involved.” Julie has noticed the positive impact this effort has on patients. “Patients appreciate that the providers are taking the time to get an accurate reading,” she says.
The practice’s approach to improving blood pressure control is working. Their efforts earned them the honor of being named a 2017 Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champion. This national competition highlights practices and practitioners that have demonstrated exceptional achievements in helping patients control their high blood pressure.
Despite their success, Plymouth Family Physicians doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. At its core, the practice values hard work and dedication. “We’ve been doing this work for years,” remarks Dr. Arenberg, “so the means to accomplish more is already part of the culture here.”
This story is courtesy of Healthy Hearts in the Heartland, the EvidenceNOW Midwest Cooperative.