Sphygmomanometers in use in general practice: an overlooked aspect of quality in patient care

Journal of Human Hypertension
T KnightP Rolfe

Abstract

To assess the condition, accuracy and safety of mercury and anaeroid sphygmomanometers in use in general practice and to pilot a scheme for sphygmomanometer maintenance within the district. Instruments were checked on site according to set protocols which related to established guidelines and standards and data were entered into a specially designed database. Mercury sphygmomanometers were removed to the laboratory for servicing. Practices received written feedback on the condition of each instrument checked, repairs undertaken and advice, where necessary, for further work required. Participant views on the scheme were sought. A total of 472 instruments (75.4% mercury) located in 86 general practices (87.8% of practices participated) in a health district in the West Midlands. Instruments were checked against 28 (mercury) and 25 (anaeroid) quality standards and (for mercury instruments) against British Hypertension Society guidelines. 69.1% of mercury and 95.7% of anaeroid instruments checked, had no service records. Of the remainder, only 29 mercury (8.1%) and one anaeroid (0.9%) had a record of a check or service within the previous 12 months. None of the instruments met all of the relevant quality standards and 14 (3.9%) merc...Continue Reading

References

Sep 6, 1986·British Medical Journal·J C PetrieM de Swiet
Aug 14, 1982·British Medical Journal·M J BurkeE T O'Brien
Feb 16, 2000·Journal of Human Hypertension·N D MarkanduC Carney

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 3, 2009·Journal of Human Hypertension·A de GreeffA H Shennan
Nov 27, 2010·Journal of Public Health Policy·Susan BuchananJoshua Karliner
Mar 20, 2004·Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation : Official Publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association·Ulrich ThollManfred Anlauf
Jan 5, 2008·International Journal of Clinical Practice·G Lloyd
Jan 29, 2016·Hypertension Research : Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension·Kei AsayamaSatoshi Umemura
Jul 24, 2008·American Journal of Hypertension·Martin J Turner, Johan M van Schalkwyk
Aug 4, 2005·Blood Pressure Monitoring·Andrew J ColemanAndrew Shennan
Apr 23, 2004·Nature·Laura NelsonVirginia Gewin
Apr 6, 2019·Journal of Glaucoma·Nikhil S ChoudhariGarudadri Chandra Sekhar
Nov 5, 2016·Journal of Glaucoma·Nikhil S ChoudhariChandra S Garudadri
Oct 11, 2020·Journal of Human Hypertension·Soliman GhareebM Mohsen Ibrahim

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.