# Engage-Rx a web-based clinical decision support tool for management of hypertension through patient engagement and automated algorithmic clinical decision support

> **NIH ALLCDC R43** · ENGAGE RX, INC. · 2022 · $245,159

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Hypertension is the most common risk factor for cardiovascular disease affecting nearly one-half
of the U.S. population and causing a large number of deaths every year. High blood pressure
rates and stroke risk are particularly high in African American patients and vulnerable populations
who receive care at safety-net clinics. The main barriers to achieving blood pressure control are
both provider-related and patient-related, and include suboptimal frequency of follow up,
clinicians’ failure to intensify treatment and poor medication adherence.
Many barriers to BP control may be surmountable with emerging digital technology. The use of
Clinical Decision Support tools can help accomplish these goals by nudging clinicians toward
more frequent treatment intensification and empowering patients to participate, communicate and
monitor their blood pressure.
We have developed a CDS technology platform embedded in the electronic health record (EHR),
called Engage-Rx, to enable a team-based care with patient engagement targeted to improve
hypertension management in safety-net clinics and other low-resource clinical settings. We
propose to test the usability of Engage-Rx among racially and economically diverse patients and
its preliminary efficacy at improving hypertension management. Our goals will be achieved though
the following Specific Aims: (1) to assess and improve the usability of the Engage-Rx patient
engagement platform from the perspective of racially and economically diverse patients; (2) to
conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the Engage-Rx patient
engagement platform within usual primary care workflow.
Should this exploratory study reveal that the use of Engage-Rx leads to improved quality of care
and higher treatment intensification, the proposed work would provide an important tool to
improve hypertension management. This study will provide the foundation for a functional and
usable product that will be expanded to more chronic diseases and tested in a SBIR Phase II
RCT.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10605138
- **Project number:** 1R43DP006817-01
- **Recipient organization:** ENGAGE RX, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Valy Fontil
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $245,159
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-09-30 → 2024-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10605138

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10605138, Engage-Rx a web-based clinical decision support tool for management of hypertension through patient engagement and automated algorithmic clinical decision support (1R43DP006817-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10605138. Licensed CC0.

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