Better BP: The Importance of Real-World Evidence to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Diagnostics at the Point of Care

August 11, 2025

Why Real-World Data is Changing the Way We Measure Effectiveness

When it comes to diagnostic accuracy, especially in measuring blood pressure, guidelines matter—but so does context. In the real world of ambulatory care, clinicians operate within complex workflows where equipment, time and staff vary widely. That’s why more value analysis committees are turning to real-world evidence (RWE) as a crucial measure of how diagnostics perform—not just in controlled trials, but across everyday care settings.

Understanding How Value Committees Evaluate Products

According to a 2025 Advisory Board survey of health system purchasing leaders, the top five metrics value analysis committees (VACs) want to evaluate more in the next five years include revenue potential, payer reimbursement, real-world outcomes, total cost of care and product cost. Notably, 81% of respondents said they plan to consider real-world outcomes more in the future.

This shift suggests that decision-makers are prioritizing diagnostics and equipment that prove their value beyond the brochure—particularly those that integrate into existing workflows and demonstrate measurable patient or financial outcomes.

Why Real-World BP Data Matters

Take blood pressure measurement for instance—inaccurate readings can shift a diagnosis, alter a treatment plan or prompt unnecessary follow-up. The CORRECT BP study, conducted independently in a functioning primary care clinic during normal appointments, demonstrated that patient positioning alone—specifically using a properly designed exam chair—led to BP reading differences of nearly 7 mmHg systolic and 4.5 mmHg diastolic compared to standard fixed-height exam tables.

But what’s often overlooked is how those measurement errors happen in real clinical settings. Not necessarily from lack of knowledge, but because exam rooms aren't equipped for proper positioning or because workflows don’t account for the time needed to rest before a reading. Real-world evidence brings these factors to light—and gives clinicians, purchasers and policy makers the data they need to advocate for better tools and practices.

Getting it Right the First Time: A Real-World Perspective

“When it comes to care management and our patients, it is important we have accurate blood pressure measurement. The Midmark 626 Barrier-Free® Examination Chair with Patient Support Rails+ helps ensure proper participant positioning for that accuracy. Getting an accurate reading the first time eliminates the need to do a second reading, which saves valuable time during the patient visit.”

— Columbia Medical Practice (CMP), Columbia, MD

Evaluating Diagnostics in Context

While gold-standard validation studies still matter, VACs increasingly want to know: will this product actually help reduce variability in real practice? Will it support guideline adherence when staff are under pressure? Will it lead to fewer unnecessary prescriptions or avoidable visits?

This shift in perspective emphasizes findings from real clinical settings—where patients move quickly through workflows and equipment must support correct technique without requiring ideal conditions.

By incorporating RWE into evaluations, committees can better assess which technologies—like exam chairs that support AHA-recommended patient positioning—are worth the investment. It’s about evaluating diagnostics not in isolation, but within the full context of how care is delivered.

A Strategic Way Forward

As VACs shift toward outcome-driven purchasing, the importance of diagnostics that support standardization, improve efficiency and reduce downstream costs will only grow. The data is clear: RWE is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s becoming a must-have for any diagnostic tool claiming to improve patient outcomes at the point of care.

Clinicians and health system leaders alike can help advance this movement by asking tough questions about how diagnostics perform outside the lab and in the real world—where accuracy isn’t optional, and context is everything.

Explore the Better BP® Ecosystem

Additional Resources:

• Creating a Seamless Healthcare Experience: Everything Connected at the Point of Care
  Highlights how integrating clinical space, technology, and workflow into a unified ecosystem supports standardized, accurate vital signs measurement—especially for BP—and reduces provider variability.

• How to Create a Connected Point of Care Ecosystem in Your Medical Facility
  Offers actionable guidance on designing exam rooms and selecting equipment that support guideline-adherent positioning and automated diagnostics to improve consistency and outcomes.

• Ensuring Accurate BP Measurement for Improved Patient Outcomes (eBook)
  A practical guide focused specifically on how proper configuration and standardized processes at the point of care can reduce errors in BP readings. Available through the Resource Library.

• Video: Accurate BP Measurement at the Point of Care
  See how Midmark exam chairs and diagnostic solutions support AHA guideline compliance in real-world settings.

• Checklist: Point-of-Care BP Measurement
  A step-by-step guide to ensure accurate, repeatable blood pressure readings in clinical settings.

• Infographic: Better BP Ecosystem Overview
  A visual summary showing how equipment, layout and workflow combine to support accurate BP measurement.

Source: Advisory Board. (2025). Health System Purchasing Survey – Value Analysis Committee Results. Proprietary report. Available to Advisory Board members at https://www.advisory.com.