Journal of medical engineering & technology
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Comparative Study
Auditing the technology used to measure blood pressure.
Patient management requires accurate blood pressure measurement, but there is concern about the accuracy of the equipment. Makes and types of sphygmomanometers and sizes of their associated cuffs used in hospital wards and outpatient departments were recorded and calibration checked. Half the sphygmomanometers were oscillometric, 32% aneroid and 18% mercury. ⋯ Many oscillometric devices had no evidence of compliance with validation standards. Sphygmomanometers and their cuffs and hoses should be regularly checked. Clinical staff can carry out many of the checks.