A primary care initiative using smartphone technology to improve antihypertensive medication adherence in indigent Hispanic men

Background: Approximately 108 million adults in the United States (U.S.) have hypertension (HTN) of which only 24% have adequate control. Men have a higher incidence of HTN than women and only 25% of Hispanic males have adequate control compared to 32% of non-Hispanic white males. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative (QI) was to improve medication adherence screening by providers and adherence to antihypertensive medication in indigent, adult Hispanic males (25 – 64 years of age) with uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) at a large primary care clinic in South Texas, using a smartphone application (Medisafe) and the Hill Bone Medication Adherence Scale (Hill-Bone Scale). Method: A before and after design was used to institute a hypertension protocol including the Hill-Bone Medication Adherence Scale in the clinic and the Medisafe medication reminder smartphone application by patients for a 3-month trial. Results: Utilization of the Medisafe application resulted in increased number of medication adherence days, improved self-reported medication adherence scores as well as improved overall mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Discussion: Self-reported medication adherence screening and utilization of the Medisafe medication reminder application has the potential to improve adherence and outcomes among patients with uncontrolled hypertension.