Blood pressure measurement using automated devices

1. Blood pressure measurementusing automated devices EHES Training Material

2. Exclusion criteria Blood pressure is not measured • If a participant has • open wounds/sores on both arms • severe rash on both arms • both arms amputated • cast on both arms • malformation on both arms preventing to place the cuff • lymph node malfunction in both arms • If the participant refuses

3. Instruction to the participants Before blood pressure measurement ask • If the participant has abstained from recently • eating • drinking (except water) • smoking • heavy exercise • alcohol use • If the participant needs to empty bladder

4. Equipment Watch and thermometer Measurement device Cuffs Measurement tape

5. Setting up the measurement site • The room should be • quiet • comfortable temperature • no disturbances • Place the device so that • you see the screen of the device clearly • the participant cannot see the results

6. Position of the subject • Participant is sitting • back supported • feet resting firmly on the floor • feet not crossed • Check that the position of the participant does not change during the measurement Back supported Feet resting on the floor, not crossed

7. Position of the arm • Take the measurement from the right arm • Arm resting on the desk / arm rest • antecubital fossa at the level of the heart • if needed, adjust the chair or use a pillow to elevate the arm • Palm facing up Right arm, resting Palm facing up In line with the heart

8. Clothing Roll sleeves up, if not constrictive Undress constrictive sleeves

9. Measurement process • Ask the participant • to sit still for 5 minutes • not to talk or move during the measurements • Explain, that you will tell the measurement results after all 3 measurements are taken • Measure arm circumference and select cuff

10. Selection of the cuff • Measure the greatest circumference of the upper arm • The bladder of the cuff should be • width: At least 40% of the arm circumference • length: At least 80% of the arm circumference

11. Placement of the cuff Cuff 2-3 cm above antecubitalfossa • Place the cuff on right arm about 2-3 cm above the antecubital fossa • Check that the top edge of the cuff is not restricted by clothing • Check that the cuff is not too tide • one finger fits between the cuff and the arm

12. Measurement of pulse rate • Palpate the radial pulse and count the pulse rate for 60 seconds • Record 60 sec pulse count and whether or not the pulse was regular

13. Measurement of blood pressure • Follow instructions of the automated device • Measure blood pressure 3 times, one minute between measurements

14. Recording the results • Record • Room temperature • Time of the blood pressure measurement • Pulse for 60 seconds • Results of the 3 blood pressure measurements • All exceptions • Record the results in the participant’s feedback form and explain the results to the participant

15. Acknowledgements • Slides • Hanna Tolonen, Päivikki Koponen • Photographs • Hanna Tolonen • Measurement demonstrations • Sanna Ahonen, Kari Kuulasmaa, Shadia Rask, Ari Haukijärvi, Anne Söderqvist, Marja Lampola, Katri Kilpeläinen, Vesa Tanskanen, Marika Strang, Ulla Leskinen