RT Journal
T1 CAn the cost of care be contained and quality of care maintained in the management of hypertension?
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1994
FD August 8
VO 154
IS 15
SP 1665
OP 1672
DO 10.1001/archinte.1994.00420150019003
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1994.00420150019003
AB THE MANAGEMENT of hypertension results in more visits by adults to physicians than any other disease; effective treatment over the past 20 years has significantly reduced progression from less severe to more severe hypertension and has been a major factor in the reduction of fatal strokes by 57% and coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths by more than 45%.1 Cost considerations have begun to play an important role in treatment decisions.2 As newer technologies and medications add to the cost of care, it is important to consider whether or not limiting cost will affect the quality of care or outcome in managing this disease.Hypertension costs can be controlled by the following: (1) by limiting the complexities of the initial evaluation, avoiding the temptation to employ technologies that have not been shown to improve outcome, and (2) by selecting therapy based on studies over the past 20 years, and