Agile implementation for hypertension control in primary care

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting 48% of US adults, with nearly three quarters of them remaining uncontrolled. Despite evidence-based guidelines for the management of hypertension, gaps persist in their clinical application. The aim of this study was to improve blood pressure control rates among nonpregnant adult patients in primary care. Methods: We applied the Agile Implementation process to address barriers to guideline implementation. Using an iterative quality improvement approach, we implemented the AI process in a clinic serving minority and underserved populations from January 2023 to December 2023. Results: The AI process increased hypertension control rates from 43 to 58%, using a target blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg. Conclusions: The AI process effectively improved hypertension control rates in an underserved primary care setting, offering a scalable approach for enhancing outcomes in similar populations. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-12941-0.