[openheartmom3]

Alot of literature out there supporting the inaccuracy of forearm BP's. I am looking for information and suggestions of what BP product is available to use on Bariatric patients to achieve accurate NIBP (non invasive) readings using the upper arm. Anyone had any dealings with "Technicuff" (the purple cuff)?

[Grumpygs]

In my CNA class, we had a large male student that had purchased a 'thigh' cuff that he used on himself (other students practiced taking his BP with it, but we used his cuff). I'm not sure how accurate it was and have no other information, but thought I would share. The thigh cuff read just like a regular cuff. Just a thought.

Good luck!

[openheartmom3]

Appreciate the response... but the thigh cuff we used just BARELY went around the arm and took over 100 pumps each time to pump it up.....What do we use if the thigh cuffs won't fit?

[Grumpygs]

Oh, sorry to hear that. I'm not sure. Would it be possible to use it around the forearm? It may still not be accurate and I really do not have much experience, just thought I would try to help. I know that a friend of mine's grandmother used a wrist cuff (automatic, not manual) for her daily BP check.

[openheartmom3]

Forearm BP's are inaccurate.... We had an incident where a 207kg pt had been monitored with forearm BP's ... the readings were consistantly showing SBP's greater than 200's and DBPs 80-90s. PRN medications had been given all night long with SBP cont to read > 200's. Surgeon unable to place arterial line....Surgeon consulted Medicine to manage BP and a Labetalol drip was ordered... Prior to starting the drip forearm BP was 234/44.... Noted drop in DBP cause me concern not to start the drip till MD arrived on unit... Thigh cuff (as described previously) showed a reading of 130/60 and a doppler pressure with the thigh cuff read 110.
Thinking of the harm that could have been done to this p/op patient is alarming. So my hospital is now trying to educate physicians/nurses and find an accurate way to treat bariatric patients