Assessment of health care quality among penitentiary employees with hypertension in the Saratov region

The aim of the study is to assess the quality of health care among penitentiary employees with hypertension in the Saratov region from 2003 to 2013. Material and Methods. The data from 62 employees with hypertension (43 men and 19 women) who followed up in the dispensary of Branch of Center of Medical and Social Rehabilitation of Medical Unit no.64 of Russian Federal Penitentiary Service in 2013 were evaluated. We analyzed retrospectively the quality of health care in every calendar year from 2003 to 2013 according to the following categories: control of blood pressure (BP), control of physical activity, control of smoking, control of weight, control of diet, control of cholesterol. To assess the quality of care we used clinical indicators implemented in the Federal Hypertension Register. Results. During the overall period (2003-2013) counseling on physical activity, smoking, weight and eating was optimal. However, only physical activity was controlled effectively in patients. The measures on control of BP and cholesterol needed improvement. Conclusion. Despite relatively good quality of the majority of health care measures among hypertensive patients in the Center of Medical and Social Rehabilitation, the effectiveness of these measures has been found out to be insufficient. It may be due to poor patients' adherence to recommendations.