MGMA Business Solutions: Innovating Patient Care Through Blood Pressure Accuracy with Dr. Tom Schwieterman

In this episode of the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Dr. Tom Schwieterman, the Chief Medical Officer and VP of Clinical Affairs at Midmark Corporation. The discussion focuses on the critical importance of accurate and consistent blood pressure measurement and how it impacts patient outcomes. With an extensive background spanning software engineering, medicine and business administration, Dr. Tom provides valuable insights into Midmark's innovative approach to enhancing the caregiver-patient experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Tom's unique background, spanning software engineering, medicine, and business administration, has enabled him to bring a multifaceted approach to improving blood pressure measurement and patient outcomes at Midmark Corporation.
• Accurate and consistent blood pressure measurement is a critical aspect of patient care, often serving as the first diagnosis and treatment for many individuals, and Midmark's Better BP® initiative aims to address this through a comprehensive approach.
• Proper patient positioning, as identified by the American Heart Association and the SPRINT study, is a key factor in obtaining accurate resting blood pressure readings, with Midmark's research showing it can lower readings by an average of 7 points on the systolic and 4.5 points on the diastolic scale.
• Midmark is leveraging Dr. Tom's expertise in computer science and systems analysis to ensure consistency in blood pressure measurement, including hands-on testing and validation protocols, as well as exploring the use of AI and large language models to streamline clinical workflows.
• Seamless integration of blood pressure data into electronic medical records (EMRs) is a priority for Midmark, as they aim to minimize workflow disruptions and provide healthcare providers with accurate data that can be easily incorporated into their clinical decision-making processes.
• As the healthcare landscape evolves towards value-based care, Midmark sees opportunities to leverage its expertise in areas like infection prevention, blood pressure optimization, and diagnostic tools to become a true partner in addressing the challenges faced by healthcare providers.

Resources:

Midmark on the web
American Heart Association
SPRINT study
Better BP®

MGMA Resources:

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