UC algorithm improves blood pressure control in patients

A study published in BMJ Open Quality reports that the UC Way Hypertension Medication Algorithm, implemented across six University of California health centers in 2023, raised the share of patients with controlled blood pressure from 68.5% to 73.9%, affecting about 4,860 people and an estimated dozens of serious events averted.

A multi-institution study examined the UC Way Hypertension Medication Algorithm after its rollout across six University of California academic health centers in 2023. The tool is embedded in electronic medical records and uses a stepwise approach with affordable medication options to standardize blood pressure treatment. Researchers reported a statistically significant increase in the proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure during the 2023–2025 study period. The reported improvements translated to nearly 5,000 patients with better control and estimates of dozens of serious events averted. Key findings: - The intervention is called the UC Way Hypertension Medication Algorithm and is embedded in the electronic medical record with a stepwise treatment approach. - The algorithm was implemented across six UC academic health centers in 2023 and was applied to more than 90,000 hypertensive patients during the 2023–2025 period. - Measured control of blood pressure rose from 68.5% before implementation to 73.9% after implementation, reported as roughly 4,860 patients with improved control. - Lead author Sandeep P. Kishore and colleagues estimated the change corresponded to about 72 strokes, 48 heart attacks and 38 deaths averted. - The algorithm emphasizes affordable medicines and reducing variation in care across sites. - An external cardiologist described the approach as interesting but noted questions about whether the resources and processes used at UC would translate to other systems. Summary: The study reports a modest but statistically significant rise in blood pressure control after the UC algorithm was implemented, with reported effects on thousands of patients and estimates of dozens of serious events avoided. Researchers framed the effort as an attempt to standardize best practices across a complex system. Undetermined at this time.