Automatic B/P machines...should I buy my own?

[prinsessa]

Quite a few of the nurses where I work at have their own automatic B/P machines. Most residents don't have their B/P taken daily but some days I will have 10+ residents that I need to take B/P on (most people are weekly). I am already limited in the amount of time I have to do everything. The manual cuff we have doesn't work that well and can take a long time. The B/P machines that the nurses use are the ones that go around the wrist. I thought those aren't as accurate. Does anyone else bring their own B/P machines to work? What kind do you use and how much did it cost?

[caliotter3]

I agree that the wrist ones don't work as well, but how much better are the broken facility ones? Some will tell you never to use your own equipment because of calibration issues, but I say, do what works for you.

[azhiker96, BSN, RN]

I have tried two different types of wrist units. Both of them seemed to be random number generators. If you go with one, I'd suggest one that uses a standard arm cuff. I use my own manual cuff and stethescope when I go on medical mission. It's cheap and accurate.

[cebuana_nurse]

I'm actually of thinking of doing the same though kinda iffy about it knowing that they are not accurate. Anybody can suggest a good brand?

[Schmoo1022]

I have an automatic wrist one and an arm one. I find the automatic arm one more accurate. I usully use the good old manual one though, if someone is having any kind of any issue.

[TonyaM73, ASN, RN]

I like the wrist one that I have because it is a quick/easy way to get a general idea of what is going on. If it comes up really high/low, I will repeat with a manual one (which by the way tend to comfirm what my wrist one says). I can't seem to ever find the vital sign machines at work since they only have 1 per 30 patients and the time it takes to hunt it down really cuts down on my medpass. I keep the wrist one in my cart and if there is a problem, hunt down a manual one. By the way, I have checked BP with the electronic ones vs my wrist one at work and they seem to be very close in the measurements.

[cakegirl]

I just purchased a wrist cuff from Omron it has a setting that will beep until you have the patients arm in the correct position for an "accurate " reading. The directions tell you the wrist has to be at the level of the heart. Working on a dementia unit I find it easier to get a wrist cuff on them then an arm cuff. Anyway I've only used it once on a patient having angina, so I can't be certain of it's accuracy yet. What I did think was neat is that it can detect an irregular heartbeat as well and last night it showed that this patients beat was irregular. I shopped around for prices and found Walmart and Walgreens had the lowest prices. I would reccomend buying one that says it's approved for medical settings not just home use. But again if you suspect anything out of the ordinary I agree with the others always go back to a manual & stethascope.

[Music in My Heart]

I'd be careful about using a personal device. If, by some chance, something goes wrong with the patient, you and your device will be drawn into any ensuing litigation.

Failure to have it calibrated according to the manufacturer's recommendations for a health-care setting will expose you to additional liability.

Keep in mind that facility insurance companies will be looking to apportion blame away from their insureds and that your insurance company will be looking for reasons to deny any claim against you.

I certainly understand the motivation but I'd be very cautious.

[ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN]

I would talk to the nursing super/DON/ADON whoever and get their imput for your facility. Heck, maybe even going to them and telling them that the equipment they are currently using isn't in the best working order, will result in something being done about it!

[katkonk, BSN, RN]

This question goes to a more serious issue...why your facility cannot replace faulty equipment. As someone already brought up, BP cuffs (manual) are cheap. If nurses are bringing their own, then the facility is needs to know that their basic equipment is not functioning. Nurses should never have to supply their own equipment (other than stethoscopes and possibly some random things like hemostats). If someone dismisses the need for more manual cuffs, then go up the ladder until you find someone who will take action. And I agree, legally that could get you into trouble if a patient's status "went south" and had a poor outcome.

[birdcage]

I have one that I bought at Walgreen's for about $75. I use it for the weekly BPs and it saves me so much time. Not all facilities provide new equipment, I completely understand. For about a month, I decided to go back to taking manual BP. I didn't notice any significant difference at all so I went back to the wrist cuff.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Another opinion about a slightly different aspect---it's long term care. Why are you taking so many blood pressures? I frequently go through the MARs and TARs and ask the docs to dc blood pressure parameters on people who have been stable for months. Sure, if they are on a new med or have symptoms it might be clinically appropriate to check blood pressures, but to check someone's blood pressure every day because they get an antihypertensive is ridiculous.