May-June 2019
To ensure an accurate reading, it is a best practice to take a patient's blood pressure again if it is elevated initially.
Taking it one more time at the end of the visit when your patient is more relaxed could make a difference. After reviewing several hundred charts, L.A. Care found many blood pressure readings at or slightly above 140/80 that had no additional readings.
Best Practice Reminders for Staff:
- Ensure that the cuff is not over clothing and is the appropriate size (larger cuff preferred), the patient has emptied their bladder, the body including the arm is supported, legs are uncrossed and the patient is not speaking.
- Retake the blood pressure after five minutes of the initial reading.
Check out our CPT 2 code tip sheet with the administrative codes to document blood pressure. This will reduce the likelihood of us calling you for this information.
For more tips and resources go to our HEDIS® Resources page.
If you have questions or comments, please email L.A. Care's Quality Improvement staff.