Do you use manual or automatic BP?

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Just bought a Omron automatic BP cuff. It weights about 2 pounds. Not sure if I like it. Just wondering what other HH nurses are using.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

I've always used a manual. I don't like the automatic ones.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

I Have a wrist cuff I bought from walgreens. I used to use it alot in hospice. But with home health I tried and I went back to manual Bp.. I am currently seaching for a new wrist cuff to go along with my temple thermometer

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Does your agency have a policy that says you can use a wrist/automatic cuff other than the manual BP cuff? Most of the auto bp cuffs are not as accurate, and I would prefer to know the real bp when I see my patients, so I always use a manual bp cuff. If you have a large patient for example, the automatic bp cuff will read high, but if you have the right size manual cuff you will find it to have a different, more accurate reading.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

Exactly that's why I carry both at all times. Majority of the hospice nurses use a automatic bp cuff and majority of the home health use a manual cuff. I don't think either of my companies have a policy on what to use.

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My company does not have a rule. I bought a Omron that has calibration and it tells you if the cuff is not on properly and if there is a irreg HB. I still have a manual too.

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Specializes in Home Health.

I only use manual BP cuff. I would recommend that those using automatics have a manual as a back-up, esp in the case of a patient with atrial fibrillation, since when in a highly irregular rhythm, the automatics have problems (and just in case the battery dies, lol).

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I use both. I prefer the manual but the automatic is used as a patient teaching tool as I transition them to buying and monitoring their own bp.. and sometimes to check if I have trouble hearing with the manual cuff. Wrist one I also have for a teaching tool where I teach patients not to trust them unless they have synchronized them with the cuff at the md office and with the homecare manual readings

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Developmental Disablities.

I use a manual BP cuff. I once had a patient who had a automatic call the office cause of high BP reading. Well he also called EMS. Well we all got there and find out his BP was normal. We found the cuff i really do believe it was the first ever automatic ones.

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