100/p

I don't know what the standards for EMT techs are, but in nursing it has to say (diastolic)/(systolic).

As a nurse, I've performed/ documented a palpated BP in rare situations that I was unable to auscultate a BP. When I worked in a SNF (no automatic BP machines available) there were a couple of times when I was unable to auscultate a BP so I obtained one. I've also used this occasionally when in working as an EMT.

If the EMR doesn't accept "P", I've recorded it as "systolic/0" with a note that "BP obtained via palpation, systolic/P". I realize there are areas of nursing where it is important for a specific systolic and diastolic to be obtained/ documented - but there are typically also equipment/resources to accurately measure very accurate/low BP's in these environments.

It's helpful to assess effectiveness of interventions (fluid infusion, positioning etc) or changes in condition in emergent situations (where I've used palpated BP's, there may be other times it's appropriate). Sometimes something is better than nothing!

That doctor is a tool. SMDH:yawn:

Yeah, either the doctor thought it was incorrect because of his/her own ignorance (not seeing that notation before) or s/he was actually the one guilty of "showing off" by trying to put down someone they consider "lesser".

If it were me, no joke, I would go back to the doctor and say that "I've looked into it and must be missing something...I don't understand why you said it was incorrect." Learning something goes both ways. This is a perfect opportunity for the doc to learn about this if it is truly a situation of ignorance, or to learn that you may get called out if your MO is simply to be a dink.

OTOH, maybe s/he simply meant they don't find it too useful in some situations.

Accuracy of the advanced trauma life support guidelines for predicting systolic blood pressure using carotid, femoral, and radial pulses: observational study

OTOH, maybe s/he simply meant they don't find it too useful in some situations.

Accuracy of the advanced trauma life support guidelines for predicting systolic blood pressure using carotid, femoral, and radial pulses: observational study

Not the same thing. This isn't referring to being able to palpate a blood pressure. An earlier edition of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course taught that blood pressure could be estimated by the location in which pulses were able to be palpated, with radial, femoral, and carotid pulses indicating a systolic blood pressure of 80, 70, and 60 mmHg respectively.

The author's of this study, as well as the referenced article, both demonstrated these guidelines not accurate, as each tended to actually over-estimate actual blood pressure.

Sometimes it can be hard to auscultate a BP in an ambulance bumping down a road. I've palped many pressures.

I actually will palp during NIBP if I feel like double checking the machine.

OTOH, maybe s/he simply meant they don't find it too useful in some situations.

Accuracy of the advanced trauma life support guidelines for predicting systolic blood pressure using carotid, femoral, and radial pulses: observational study

For a second, I thought you were making a play on words/acronyms and read OTOH as HOTN somehow.

Not the same thing. This isn't referring to being able to palpate a blood pressure. An earlier edition of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course taught that blood pressure could be estimated by the location in which pulses were able to be palpated, with radial, femoral, and carotid pulses indicating a systolic blood pressure of 80, 70, and 60 mmHg respectively.

The author's of this study, as well as the referenced article, both demonstrated these guidelines not accurate, as each tended to actually over-estimate actual blood pressure.

Yes. I'm aware. All I meant to suggest is that perhaps s/he has an "accuracy" issue and forms some of his/her opinions about seeing a palpated bp recording because of that.

Honestly I just thought I'd look for a better reason than "jerk" that s/he might have said that. Sorry if it looked like I was trying to "school" anyone.

[...]

Honestly I just thought I'd look for a better reason than "jerk" that s/he might have said that. Sorry if it looked like I was trying to "school" anyone.

Never took it that way. However, you're a better person than I, as I would have it at he ot she (the physician) being a jerk.

Can someone please explain why an EMT would record a BP on a HOTN pt as 100/P? Dr said EMT was just trying to show off, but that it is incorrect.

How many keystrokes did you save by typing "Dr" instead of "doctor"? "100/P" or "100/Palp" are accurate ways to record a palpable blood pressure when you were unable to auscultate it for whatever reason.

That makes perfect sense. If it had said 100/palp, I'd have understood. Dr. wasn't a regular that I know well, so no idea why he didn't give more info. But, now I understand, and I appreciate being able to turn to experienced nurses to get the correct info. Thank you everyone.