Assessment of Hypertension Management and Outcomes at an Indianapolis Student-Run Free Clinic

Abstract

Purpose. To characterize the quality of health care at student-run free clinics (SRFCs) by analyzing hypertension management and outcomes at the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic (IUSOC). Methods. A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for hypertensive patients managed at IUSOC over 15 months (N = 64). Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic’s hypertension control rate was compared with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Results. Blood pressure control rates increased significantly over the study period. Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic’s control rate did not differ significantly with the NHANES national average, but was significantly greater than the NHANES group with no usual source of care. Similarly, IUSOC patients without insurance or with unknown insurance status had greater control rates than an uninsured NHANES group, but did not differ significantly from an insured NHANES group. Conclusions. Despite unfavorable demographic characteristics, records for patients with hypertension who used IUSOC as a regular provider of primary care compared favorably with national data.