02871, Portsmouth, Rhode Island Hypertension Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Hypertension Score in 02871, Portsmouth, Rhode Island is 96 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 96.82 percent of the residents in 02871 has some form of health insurance. 31.24 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 85.73 percent of the residents have private health insurance, either through their employer or direct purchase. Military veterans should know that percent of the residents in the ZIP Code of 02871 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 3,868 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 12 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 02871. An estimate of 4 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 4,044 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 5,518 health care providers accessible to residents in 02871, Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

The analysis focuses on hypertension management within ZIP code 02871, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, evaluating primary care physician (PCP) availability and related factors. The goal is to provide a nuanced understanding of the local healthcare landscape, specifically concerning the treatment and management of hypertension. The information is presented as a hypothetical "Hypertension Score" analysis, reflecting the availability and quality of resources relevant to hypertension patients.

**Hypertension Score Analysis: Portsmouth, RI (02871)**

The foundation of effective hypertension management rests on accessible primary care. The physician-to-patient ratio in Portsmouth is a critical initial metric. While precise, real-time ratios fluctuate, understanding the general trend is crucial. A higher ratio, indicating fewer physicians per capita, can translate to longer wait times for appointments and potentially delayed diagnoses or treatment adjustments. This directly impacts the Hypertension Score, as timely access to care is paramount. The analysis would examine publicly available data, such as the Rhode Island Department of Health resources, and potentially cross-reference with private databases to estimate the current ratio.

Beyond raw numbers, the distribution of PCPs within the ZIP code matters. Are the physicians concentrated in one area, potentially creating access challenges for residents in other parts of Portsmouth? The analysis would consider geographic accessibility, evaluating the proximity of PCP offices to residential areas and public transportation routes. This involves mapping the locations of practices and overlaying them with demographic data to identify potential underserved areas. The presence of multiple practices, including those affiliated with larger hospital systems or independent groups, contributes to a higher score, suggesting greater patient choice and potentially improved access.

Standout practices are identified based on several factors. The analysis would investigate practices that demonstrate a commitment to hypertension management through specific programs or initiatives. This includes reviewing practice websites and publicly available information for details on patient education materials, dedicated hypertension clinics, or specialized staff training in hypertension management. Practices that actively utilize electronic health records (EHRs) for tracking patient data, medication adherence, and blood pressure control would receive higher scores. The adoption of evidence-based guidelines, such as those from the American Heart Association or the American College of Cardiology, would also be a key indicator of quality.

Telemedicine adoption has become increasingly important, especially for managing chronic conditions like hypertension. The analysis would assess the availability of telehealth services among PCPs in Portsmouth. This includes evaluating whether practices offer virtual consultations, remote blood pressure monitoring, and online patient portals for communication and medication refills. Practices that have successfully integrated telemedicine into their workflow, providing convenient and accessible care options, would receive a significant boost to their Hypertension Score. The analysis would also consider the types of telehealth platforms used and their ease of use for patients.

Mental health is inextricably linked to hypertension management. Stress, anxiety, and depression can significantly impact blood pressure control. The analysis would investigate the availability of mental health resources within PCP practices or through referrals. This includes assessing whether practices have on-site behavioral health specialists, offer integrated mental health services, or have established referral pathways to mental health professionals in the community. Practices that recognize the importance of mental health and actively address it as part of comprehensive hypertension care would receive a higher score.

The analysis would also consider the availability of patient education materials. Practices that provide clear, concise, and culturally sensitive information about hypertension, lifestyle modifications, and medication management would be recognized. This includes evaluating the availability of written materials, online resources, and group education sessions. The analysis would also consider the language accessibility of these materials, ensuring that they are available in languages spoken by the local population.

The availability of ancillary services is another important factor. Practices that offer convenient access to blood pressure monitoring stations, laboratory services for blood tests, and pharmacy services within or near the practice would receive a higher score. This streamlines the patient experience and improves adherence to treatment plans. The analysis would also consider the availability of other relevant services, such as nutrition counseling and exercise programs.

The analysis would also consider patient satisfaction. While it is difficult to measure patient satisfaction directly, the analysis would look for publicly available patient reviews and ratings. Practices with consistently positive reviews, indicating a high level of patient satisfaction, would receive a higher score. This would also involve assessing the practice's responsiveness to patient feedback and its commitment to continuous improvement.

The final Hypertension Score would be a composite metric, reflecting the weighted average of all the factors discussed above. The weighting of each factor would be determined based on its relative importance in hypertension management. The score would provide a comprehensive overview of the healthcare landscape in Portsmouth, RI (02871), specifically concerning the availability and quality of resources for hypertension patients. The higher the score, the better the overall care environment.

This analysis, while hypothetical, aims to provide a framework for evaluating the quality of hypertension care within a specific geographic area. The goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses in the local healthcare system and to provide insights that can inform efforts to improve patient outcomes.

For a dynamic visualization of the data, including the locations of practices, physician-to-patient ratios, and other relevant information, explore CartoChrome maps.