How to use a non invasive blood pressure tester

Non-invasive blood pressure tester, often abbreviated to NIBP tester, a non-invasive blood pressure tester is a key piece of medical equipment used in doctors and clinics to measure a patient's blood pressure without the need for skin piercing or injections. It detects the blood pressure value by easily applying it to the patient's upper arm or wrist, using an air bag and sensors. This measurement is non-invasive, so patients usually experience no significant discomfort or pain.NIBP testers are widely used in the medical field, including hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, and other healthcare facilities to monitor a patient's blood pressure status to assist in diagnosis and treatment decisions.

The Criticality of Proper Blood Pressure Measurement

• Monitoring Chronic Diseases: Many chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, require regular monitoring of blood pressure. Accurate measurements help track the progress of the disease and enable timely interventions.
• Treatment decisions: Physicians rely on blood pressure measurements to develop treatment plans. Accurate measurements help determine whether a patient needs medication, as well as selecting the appropriate medication and dosage.
• Diagnostic accuracy: Correct blood pressure measurement is the basis for developing an accurate diagnosis. Incorrect measurements can lead to misdiagnosis, which can affect treatment and the patient's health.
• Emergency management: In emergency situations, accurate blood pressure measurements are critical in determining the patient's condition and mode of treatment. Incorrect blood pressure measurements can lead to misleading information and jeopardize the patient's life.

Measuring a patient's blood pressure is an important task in the day-to-day work of doctors and clinics, and it is crucial to confirming the diagnosis, treating and monitoring the course of a disease. From a physician's and clinic's perspective, the proper measurement of blood pressure is one of the key steps in ensuring that patients receive optimal medical care. It helps ensure patient safety and health, provide accurate diagnosis and treatment, and build lasting patient trust.

Fundamental Principle

The basic principle of a non-invasive blood pressure tester is to calculate a patient's blood pressure value by measuring the sound of blood flowing through the arteries and the change in pressure in the air pocket. This method is non-invasive and usually provides accurate blood pressure measurements that help physicians diagnose, treat and monitor a patient's health.

• Pressure Sensor: The NIBP tester has a built-in pressure sensor. As the air bag is inflated, the air pressure in the bag gradually increases and the pressure sensor senses this pressure.
• Inflating the air bag: At the beginning of the measurement, the doctor or nurse will place a cannula called an "air bag" on the patient's upper arm, usually above the elbow. The air bag contains an air pump that is inflated through the bag, gradually increasing the air pressure in the bag.
• NIBP Cuff: is a cuff that is wrapped around the patient's upper arm or other body part to measure the patient's non-invasive blood pressure. It is usually made of a soft material and contains an airbag or air pocket inside.

Proper Testing Procedure

A. Locating the blood pressure cuff

B. Attaching the cuff and connecting the monitoring device

C. Starting the testing process

Interpretation of measurement results

How to properly read and interpret blood pressure measurements:

• Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP): This is the low value of blood pressure that indicates the pressure when the heart relaxes after a beat. Normal diastolic blood pressure in a normal adult is usually between 60 and 80 mmHg.
• Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP): This is the high value of blood pressure and indicates the highest pressure of the heart during a beat. Normal systolic blood pressure in a normal adult is usually between 90 and 120 mmHg.
• Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP): This is the average blood pressure value used to assess blood flow to the heart and throughout the body. The formula is (SBP + 2 * DBP) / 3. Normal MAP is usually between 70 and 100 mm Hg.
• Pulse Pressure: Pulse pressure is the difference between SBP and DBP. Changes in pulse pressure can provide information about cardiovascular function. A large increase in pulse pressure may be one of the hallmarks of hypertension.

Signs to Recognize Hypertension and Hypotension:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure): If several consecutive measurements show a systolic blood pressure higher than 120 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure higher than 80 mm Hg, it may indicate that the patient has hypertension. Hypertension is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
• Hypotension (low blood pressure): Hypotension is usually defined as a systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of less than 60 mm Hg. Hypotension may cause dizziness, vertigo, and a feeling of weakness, especially when standing.

Accurately reading and interpreting blood pressure measurements is critical to diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease and monitoring a patient's health status. Healthcare professionals need to consider a variety of factors to ensure that measurements are accurate and that appropriate medical action is taken based on the results.

Notes on use

1. Appropriate cuff size: Choose the right size cuff to ensure an accurate measurement. A cuff that is too small may result in an overestimation of blood pressure, while a cuff that is too large may result in an underestimation of blood pressure. The width of the cuff should cover approximately 80% of the circumference of the upper arm.
2. Cuff position: The cuff should be placed on the patient's bare skin, not on clothing. The center of the cuff should be approximately the same as the patient's heart, usually at the level of the sternum.
3. Cuff Tightness: The cuff should be snug, but not too tight. An overly tight cuff may result in restricted blood flow and affect the measurement. In general, it should allow an adult finger to be easily inserted into the lower edge of the cuff.
4. Measurement environment: Try to perform blood pressure measurements in a quiet environment, avoiding noisy, cold or hot environments, as these factors may affect the results.
5. Patient position: The patient's arm should be at the same level as the heart during the measurement. If the patient is lying down for the measurement, the cuff should be at the level of the heart.
6. Continuous measurement: For patients who need to be monitored for an extended period of time, continuous blood pressure monitoring may be more useful. This can provide more data to assess changes in the patient's blood pressure.

Encouraging healthcare professionals to properly utilize non-invasive blood pressure testers not only helps to ensure the health of their patients, but also helps to provide quality medical care and improve their quality of life. Through ongoing training and following best practices, healthcare professionals can play a vital role in patient care.