Clinical Trial Confirms PharmaSmart® Blood Pressure Comparable to Gold Standard Ambulatory
(PRWEB) December 19, 2014 -- A peer-reviewed clinical study recently published November 19, 2014 in the Journal of the American Society of Hypertension has concluded that routine blood pressure testing on PharmaSmart® kiosks “closely approximates” daytime ambulatory blood pressure measurement. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is considered the clinical gold standard for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. According to the study authors, the findings “support the use” of PharmaSmart® in the assessment of hypertension.
The study, using self-measured blood pressure on PharmaSmart® kiosks located in “real world” community pharmacy settings, also concluded that routine PharmaSmart® measurement yields results similar to validated, averaged, “automated office” blood pressure, widely considered the most robust “in-office” method of assessing blood pressure.
Michael Rakotz, MD, Director of Population and Virtual Medicine at Northwestern Medical Group in Evanston added, “We know that self-measurement of blood pressure is important, and can help patients reach and maintain their target blood pressures. We also know that pharmacists play an important role in helping patients understand their blood pressure and the medication they take to treat it. This new evidence using PharmaSmart® kiosks is an important new development for patient self-measurement occurring in the communities where people live and work. One that clinicians can now better rely on for accuracy, in a location that is positioned to support the role of pharmacists contributing more significantly in blood pressure co-management.”
Yvonne Gallagher, EVP, Sav-Mor Rx stated, “Because PharmaSmart’s program is founded on clinical evidence, we can now offer local health plans a member-based, life-saving health management tool. PharmaSmart® Health Screening kiosks deliver ‘source-valid’ data that support cardiovascular risk reduction. At Sav-Mor Rx/Sav-On, controlling hypertension and improving patient health outcomes is our #1 priority. This latest clinical research further strengthens our value proposition with payers, physicians and patients, and sends a strong message to our pharmacists that they have the tools in place to practice to the full scope of their training while generating payer incentives.”
Bruce Alpert, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center (retired), and editorial board member of the American Journal of Cardiology stated, “It is very important that we develop new ways to track blood pressure outside the office that are valid, affordable, and accessible to patients. We know that blood pressure kiosks are used at least 1 million times per day in the US, but most kiosk devices do not meet basic accuracy criteria. This new evidence places pharmacies using PharmaSmart® kiosks on a strong clinical footing, and will improve the ability of those pharmacies to collaborate with physicians in the management of their patients’ blood pressure.”
About PharmaSmart®
PharmaSmart®, headquartered in Rochester, NY, USA, currently serves more than 6,500 locations, including retail pharmacies such as Kinney Drugs, Bartell Drugs, Sav-MorRx/Sav-On Drugs, Coborns, Nash Finch, Roundy’s/Mariano’s, Associated Food Stores, Leader, McKesson Health Mart, Good Neighbor, Astrup Drug, Winn Dixie, Big Y Foods, Harmons Grocery, Wal-Mart Canada, Safeway Canada, Loblaw’s, Le Groupe Jean Coutu, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall/Katz Group, Sobey’s Lawton’s, and other fine pharmacies. PharmaSmart® also serves major worksites, military bases, University Schools of Pharmacy, hospitals and medical clinics. PharmaSmart’s PS DataSmart® Health IT database currently holds more than (30) million targeted patient blood pressure readings. For more information visit the company's website at http://www.PharmaSmart.com or contact Shauna Delahanty-Thomas, Corporate Communications at (800) 781-0323x338.
About Sav-MorRx
Sav-Mor Drugstores is proud to be serving the Michigan and Ohio region for over 50 years. Our pharmacies are independently owned and operated, providing the highest quality healthcare services available at a convenient neighborhood retail location. Our sustained success is due to our continued attention to your personal care, dedication to friendly and prompt service, and a commitment to support the local community.
Sav-Mor Drugstores will assist you with saving money on your prescriptions. These savings may be realized by generic substitution (generic drugs can save you 30-80%), therapeutic drug class changes (which must be approved by your physician), profile analysis (consulting with your Sav-Mor pharmacist), programs for seniors, or enrolling in the Sav-Mor Rewards program. Locate the nearest Sav-Mor pharmacy location to discuss these money saving opportunities with one of our pharmacists.
Sav-Mor Drugstores accept most health plans and government sponsored programs. As new health plans are formed they are immediately added to our store pharmacy claims processing system.
So, find a Sav-Mor pharmacy near you and stop by today – we're looking forward to getting to know you.
References:
JASH Article Abstract, PharmaSmart® - ABP Comparison:
http://www.ashjournal.com/article/S1933-1711(14)00882-1/fulltext
Shauna Delahanty-Thomas, PharmaSmart, http://WWW.PharmaSmart.com, +1 (800) 781-0323 Ext: 338, [email protected]
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