Development and Evaluation of a Mobile Decision Support System for Hypertension Management in the Primary Care Setting in Brazil: Mixed-Methods Field Study on Usability, Feasibility, and Utility.

BACKGROUND: Despite being an important cardiovascular risk factor, hypertension has low control levels worldwide. Computerized clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) might be effective in reducing blood pressure with a potential impact in reducing cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the research was to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and utility of a CDSS, TeleHAS (tele-hipertensão arterial sistêmica, or arterial hypertension system), in the care of patients with hypertension in the context of a primary care setting in a middle-income country. METHODS: The TeleHAS app consists of a platform integrating clinical and laboratory data on a particular patient, from which it performs cardiovascular risk calculation and provides evidence-based recommendations derived from Brazilian and international guidelines for the management of hypertension and cardiovascular risk. Ten family physicians from different primary care units in the city of Montes Claros, Brazil, were randomly selected to use the CDSS for the care of hypertensive patients for 6 months. After 3 and 6 months, the feasibility, usability, and utility of the CDSS in the routine care of the health team was evaluated through a standardized questionnaire and semistructured interviews. RESULTS: Throughout the study, clinicians registered 535 patients with hypertension, at an average of 1.24 consultations per patient. Women accounted for 80% (8/10) of participant doctors, median age was 31.5 years (interquartile range 27 to 59 years). As for feasibility, 100% of medical users claimed it was possible to use the app in the primary care setting, and for 80% (8/10) of them it was easy to incorporate its use into the daily routine and home visits. Nevertheless, 70% (7/10) of physicians claimed that the time taken to fill out the CDSS causes significant delays in service. Clinicians evaluated TeleHAS as good (8/10, 80% of users), with easy completion and friendly interface (10/10, 100%) and the potential to improve patients' treatment (10/10, 100%). A total of 90% (9/10) of physicians had access to new knowledge about cardiovascular risk and hypertension through the app recommendations and found it useful to promote prevention and optimize treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a CDSS developed to assist the management of patients with hypertension was feasible in the context of a primary health care setting in a middle-income country, with good user satisfaction and the potential to improve adherence to evidence-based practices.

Epidemiological Profile and Quality Indicators in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in Northern Minas Gerais - Minas Telecardio 2 Project / Perfil Epidemiológico e Indicadores de Qualidade em Pacientes com Síndrome Coronariana Aguda na Região Norte de Minas Gerais - Projeto Minas Telecardio 2

Abstract Background: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of death in Brazil. In the Brazilian public health system, the in-hospital mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction is high. The Minas Telecardio 2 Project (Projeto Minas Telecardio 2) aims at implementing a myocardial infarction system of care in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais (MG) to decrease hospital morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the profile of the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cared for in the period that preceded the implementation of the system of care. Methods: Observational, prospective study of patients with ACS admitted between June 2013 and March 2014 to six emergency departments in Montes Claros, MG, and followed up until hospital discharge. Results: During the study period, 593 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of ACS (mean age 63 ± 12 years, 67.6% men), including 306 (51.6%) cases of unstable angina, 214 (36.0%) of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and 73 (12.3%) of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The total STEMI mortality was 21%, and the in-hospital mortality was 17.2%. In the STEMI patients, 46,0% underwent reperfusion therapy, including primary angioplasty in 88 and thrombolysis in six. Overall, aspirin was administered to 95.1% of the patients within 24 hours and to 93.5% at discharge, a P2Y12 inhibitor was administered to 88.7% participants within 24 hours and to 75.1% at discharge. A total of 73.1% patients received heparin within 24 hours. Conclusion: We observed a low reperfusion rate in patients with STEMI and limited adherence to the recommended ACS treatment in the Northern Region of MG. These observations enable opportunities to improve health care.

Resumo Fundamento: A doença coronariana é a principal causa de morte no Brasil. No sistema público de saúde brasileiro, a mortalidade hospitalar por infarto agudo do miocárdio é elevada. O Projeto Minas Telecardio 2 tem o objetivo de implantar a linha de cuidado do infarto na Região Ampliada Norte de Minas Gerais (MG), com vistas à redução da morbimortalidade hospitalar. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil dos casos de síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA) atendidos no período que precedeu à implantação do programa. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo observacional dos pacientes com SCA admitidos entre junho de 2013 e março de 2014 nas seis portas de entrada de urgência de Montes Claros e acompanhados até a alta hospitalar. Resultados: No período do estudo, 593 pacientes foram admitidos com SCA (idade média 63 ± 12 anos, 67,6% homens), com 306 (51,6%) casos de angina instável, 214 (36,0%) de infarto com supradesnivelamento do ST (IAMCSST) e 73 (12,3%) com infarto sem supradesnivelamento do ST (IAMSSST). A mortalidade total para IAMCSST foi 21% e a intra-hospitalar foi de 17,2%. Nos pacientes com IAMCSST, 46,0% foram submetidos a terapia de reperfusão, com 88 angioplastias primárias e seis trombólises. AAS foi administrado a 95,1% dos pacientes nas primeiras 24 horas e a 93,5% na alta, inibidores do P2Y12 foram administrados a 88,7% dos participantes nas primeiras 24 horas e a 75,1% na alta. Ao todo, 73,1% receberam heparina nas primeiras 24 horas. Conclusão: Foram observadas baixa taxa de reperfusão em pacientes com IAMCSST e adesão limitada aos tratamentos preconizados para abordagem da SCA na Região Ampliada Norte de MG. Estas observações possibilitam oportunidades para melhoria do cuidado em saúde.

Epidemiological Profile and Quality Indicators in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in Northern Minas Gerais - Minas Telecardio 2 Project.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of death in Brazil. In the Brazilian public health system, the in-hospital mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction is high. The Minas Telecardio 2 Project (Projeto Minas Telecardio 2) aims at implementing a myocardial infarction system of care in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais (MG) to decrease hospital morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the profile of the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cared for in the period that preceded the implementation of the system of care. METHODS: Observational, prospective study of patients with ACS admitted between June 2013 and March 2014 to six emergency departments in Montes Claros, MG, and followed up until hospital discharge. RESULTS: During the study period, 593 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of ACS (mean age 63 ± 12 years, 67.6% men), including 306 (51.6%) cases of unstable angina, 214 (36.0%) of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and 73 (12.3%) of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The total STEMI mortality was 21%, and the in-hospital mortality was 17.2%. In the STEMI patients, 46,0% underwent reperfusion therapy, including primary angioplasty in 88 and thrombolysis in six. Overall, aspirin was administered to 95.1% of the patients within 24 hours and to 93.5% at discharge, a P2Y12 inhibitor was administered to 88.7% participants within 24 hours and to 75.1% at discharge. A total of 73.1% patients received heparin within 24 hours. CONCLUSION: We observed a low reperfusion rate in patients with STEMI and limited adherence to the recommended ACS treatment in the Northern Region of MG. These observations enable opportunities to improve health care.