Automatic BP monitor for kids?

[nyy2]

I was just wondering if anyone has used automatic BP monitors, especially in the elementary setting? I usually use a manual one, but was wondering if an automatic one would come in handy when we do yearly physicals. I saw one on schoolnursesupply.com that displays the pulse as well, so I was thinking it would save a little time vs doing BP and pulse manually/separately when we are doing physicals.

This is the description of the one I was looking at:

"The Riester Ri-Champion is clinically validated according to BHS standard A/A and offers easy handling. Fully automatic, the Riester Ri-Champion digital blood pressure monitor will provide precise and fast measurement, especially for children. This unit will provide the user with irregular heartbeat recognition, pulse tone and operates with AA batteries."

If anyone has used them, I would appreciate any input. Thank you!

[Farawyn]

I'm not a fan. I've used them many times in the hospital setting but not on kids. I'm old school.

[OldDude]

It's been my experience that they're accurate if the cuff fits properly and the kid can sit still. There are all kinds of recommendations but, generally, the cuff needs to take up two thirds of the upper arm and be 1 1/2 times the arm circumference. If the cuff doesn't fit right, like on the little guys, I use the pedi-manual one where I can fine tune the inflation while I'm listening.

[kidzcare]

I don't do BPs very often. You do them as part of a yearly health screening, it sounds like?

I have a manual cuff and stethoscope. I've used it more often on staff that are expecting than on students.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i have the adc e-sphyg 2 that came with the adult cuff and may have come with the smaller cuff (labeled as either child or "small adult") but it works on all but my very tiny tiny pre-k's who probably wouldn't be able to sit still enough for the machine's liking anyhow.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I had an automatic BP cuff when I started and a manual. The automatic was always off for me. I prefer manual. I'm old school like Farawyn.

Of course, as kidzcare mentioned, I find I'm using my BP cuff far more often on staff than students.

[nyy2]

Thank you all for your input! I appreciate it!

[OldDude]

I had an automatic BP cuff when I started and a manual. The automatic was always off for me. I prefer manual. I'm old school like Farawyn.

Of course, as kidzcare mentioned, I find I'm using my BP cuff far more often on staff than students.

Ditto....I like it when one of the staff come screaming in here to get their blood pressure checked because they're stressing about a thousand things and have a headache, won't sit still for 2 minutes, and wonder why it's elevated....