Lafayette Hospital + Clinics (LHC), a proud Critical Access Hospital serving rural Southwest Wisconsin, continues its mission of providing high-quality, accessible care—close to home. One of our recent community health priorities has focused on an often invisible but critical issue: high blood pressure. High blood pressure—or hypertension—is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other serious health.
Thanks to American Heart Association, our Quality Team was able to obtain a grant to establish the Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure Program with loaner devices. These kits are provided for a 4–6-week timeframe, allowing residents to track their blood pressure from home, improving awareness, supporting better decision-making, and helping clinicians make timely care adjustments. With donations from the surrounding area Lions Clubs, we will be implementing kits that patients will be able to keep promoting long term heart health improvement--putting powerful tools directly into the hands of our patients. Starting in April 2025 to date, this program has helped 24 patients better understand and manage their blood pressure.
The data shows:
- 100% of participants have reported improved blood pressure readings within 4-6 weeks of starting the program.
- 100% have shared their readings with their healthcare provider (or support staff) regularly, improving care coordination.
- Participants now report feeling more confident managing their health at home.
"By regularly checking your blood pressure at home, patients and providers can work together to catch dangerous trends early and take action before irreversible harm occurs. The SMBP Program is great to have at our facility for our community," Noted Donald Hay, DO, Primary Care Clinics.
By combining local partnerships with personalized care, LHC is not only treating hypertension but also building a culture of health literacy and empowerment—one patient at a time.
"It was nice being able to monitor my blood pressure at home while having medication changes," Shared a patient in the program. This is community benefit in action: preventive, proactive, and personal. A program that LHC is proud to offer our patients and community.
