Nurse consultation support to primary care practices to increase delivery of health behavior services.

Tobacco use, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and alcohol use are the key preventable causes of death in the United States. This study tested the use of nurses as consultants to primary care practices to assist practice clinicians and staff in identifying and carrying out plans to help their adult patients improve these health behaviors. A pre-post chart audit was conducted, and 17 of 20 practices (85%, p = <.

The community health educator referral liaison (CHERL): a primary care practice role for promoting healthy behaviors.

Background: Tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and risky alcohol use are leading causes of preventable death. As there are many barriers that prevent primary care clinicians from effectively assisting patients with these behaviors, connecting patients with health behavior resources may reduce these unhealthy behaviors.

Methods: A new adjunct role in primary care practice, the community health educator referral liaison (CHERL), was tested in 15 practices in three Michigan communities.

Diagnosis of heart failure in adults.

Heart failure is a common, progressive, complex clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mortality. Coronary artery disease is its most common cause. The evaluation of symptomatic patients with suspected heart failure is directed at confirming the diagnosis, determining the cause, identifying concomitant illnesses, establishing the severity of heart failure, and guiding therapy.

The treatment of adults with essential hypertension.

Hypertension is arbitrarily defined as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mm Hg or higher, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or higher, or both, on 3 separate occasions. Essential hypertension is hypertension without an identifiable cause. Essential hypertension, also known as primary or idiopathic hypertension, accounts for at least 95% of all cases of hypertension.