FITNESS NEWS ITEM

GP-led Health Campaign Delivers 76% Response Rate

THURSDAY, 21 AUGUST 2008

London - Recent results from a text messaging campaign for calling hypertensive patients in for periodic blood pressure reading ran by the Lea Surgery in City & Hackney tPCT has delivered response rates of 76%.

From searches made on their GP system, the surgery sent out a group text message to selected patients inviting them to call the surgery to make an appointment. Within three weeks of sending the text invitation, 149 out of 197 patients have had their blood pressure checked. These results have highlighted just how effective iPLATO Patient Care Messaging can be for health promotion campaigns.

Having high blood pressure is one of several 'risk factors' that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions. Treatment includes a change in lifestyle risk factors where these can be improved - losing weight if you are overweight, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, cutting back if you drink a lot of alcohol, stopping smoking, and a low salt intake. If needed, medication can lower blood pressure. Periodic monitoring of patients' blood pressure is essential for supporting them in reducing the risk of serious complications and conditions.

Dr. Goel, GP at the Lea Surgery, said: "Getting hold of the right patients for periodic reviews at the right time is often cumbersome. The system makes it a lot easier."

Jonathan Mason, Head of Prescribing and Pharmacy at City & Hackney tPCT, said, "The recent use of the iPLATO system by the Lea Surgery to support their hypertension campaign is another good example of the healthcare initiatives that are currently being positively supported by iPLATO Patient Care Messaging within City & Hackney tPCT. As the majority of City & Hackney GP surgeries now have the iPLATO capability, we look forward to more success stories to come."

Funded centrally by the tPCT, the service has been adopted by 41 of City & Hackney tPCT's GP surgeries and is being used to address important Public Health concerns such as Smoking, Flu, Childhood Immunizations, Breast Screening, and Obesity.

Visit www.iplato.net for more details.

advertising info

Print News Item