Strategic assessment of the availability of pediatric trauma care equipment, technology and supplies in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the availability of pediatric trauma care items (i.e. equipment, supplies, technology) and factors contributing to deficiencies in Ghana. METHODS: Ten universal and 9 pediatric-sized items were selected from the World Health Organization's Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care. Direct inspection and structured interviews with administrative, clinical and biomedical engineering staff were used to assess item availability at 40 purposively sampled district, regional and tertiary hospitals in Ghana. RESULTS: Hospital assessments demonstrated marked deficiencies for a number of essential items (e.g. basic airway supplies, chest tubes, blood pressure cuffs, electrolyte determination, portable X-ray). Lack of pediatric-sized items resulting from equipment absence, lack of training, frequent stock-outs and technology breakage were common. Pediatric items were consistently less available than adult-sized items at each hospital level. CONCLUSION: This study identified several successes and problems with pediatric trauma care item availability in Ghana. Item availability could be improved, both affordably and reliably, by better organization and planning (e.g. regular assessment of demand and inventory, reliable financing for essential trauma care items). In addition, technology items were often broken. Developing local service and biomedical engineering capability was highlighted as a priority to avoid long periods of equipment breakage.

Providing best practice in manual blood pressure measurement.

This article discusses the practical skills and underpinning knowledge needed when manually taking a patients blood pressure. The author defines blood pressure and the terms systolic and diastolic and explores the purpose of manual measurement. The article also goes on to examine what is meant by normal blood pressure, hypertension and hypotension, as well as factors that may influence blood pressure measurement. There is a brief outline of the equipment used for manually measuring blood pressure, followed by some factors that may affect the accuracy of the final reading. The author also highlights the different positions used for taking blood pressure and the arguments surrounding their respective merits. Finally, the article includes a practical step-by-step guide to manual blood pressure measurement.

Hypertensive patients' use of blood pressure monitors stationed in pharmacies and other locations: a cross-sectional mail survey.

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) monitors are commonly stationed in public places such as pharmacies, but it is uncertain how many people with hypertension currently use them. We sought to estimate the proportion of hypertensive patients who use these types of monitors and examine whether use varies by demographic or health characteristics. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional mail survey of hypertensive adults enrolled in a practice based research network of 24 primary care practices throughout the state of North Carolina. We analyzed results using descriptive statistics and examined bivariate associations using chi-square and independent associations using logistic regression. RESULTS: We received 530 questionnaires (76% response rate). Of 333 respondents (63%) who reported checking their BP in locations other than their doctor's office or home, 66% reported using a monitor stationed in a pharmacy. Younger patients more commonly reported using pharmacy monitors (48% among those < 45 years vs 35% of those over 65, p = 0.04). Blacks reported using them more commonly than whites (48% vs 39%, p = 0.03); and high school graduates more often than those with at least some college (50% vs 37%, p = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, younger age (aOR 1.49; 95% CI 1.00-2.21 for those age 45 to 65 years vs those > 65 years old) and high school education (aOR 1.74; 95% CI 1.13-2.58) were associated with use of pharmacy-stationed monitors, but Black race was not. Patients with diabetes, heart disease, or stroke were not more likely to use pharmacy-stationed monitors. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients' use of BP monitors located in pharmacies is common. Younger patients, Blacks, and those with high school education were slightly more likely to report using them. Because use of these monitors is so common, efforts to ensure their accuracy are important.

Sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia--a simple bedside test indicative of fibromyalgia: a multicenter developmental study.

BACKGROUND: One of the 2 classification criteria for fibromyalgia (FM) is the presence of tender points on specific anatomic sites. It has been established that these tender points reflect a state of generalized allodynia (defined as pain resulting from a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain). Patients with FM often describe pain elicitation during blood pressure testing (sphygmomanometry). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to define if a universally used clinical test, sphygmomanometry, is helpful in the identification of patients with FM. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective multicenter study in 3 different public rheumatology outpatient services. Each center studied 20 patients with FM, 20 with rheumatoid arthritis, 20 with osteoarthritis, and 20 healthy individuals. The following question was asked of each participant: "When I take your blood pressure, tell me if the cuff's pressure brings forth pain." The blood pressure cuff was inflated at an approximate rate of 10 mm Hg per second up to 180 mm Hg or to the point when pain was elicited. RESULTS: Sixty-nine percent of patients with FM had sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia in contrast to 10% of patients with osteoarthritis, 5% with rheumatoid arthritis, and 2% of healthy individuals (P < 0.001). The mean blood pressure value at which allodynia was elicited was lower in patients with FM (143 +/- 40 mm Hg) when compared with the other 3 groups (176 +/- 11 mm Hg) or higher (P < 0.001). In patients with FM, there was a significant negative correlation between the blood pressure value at which allodynia developed and total Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) score, number of tender points, and the FIQ visual analog scales for pain intensity and fatigue (P < 0.05). The test yields a diagnostic sensitivity for FM of 0.7, specificity 0.96, positive predictive value 0.86, and negative predictive value 0.91. CONCLUSIONS: In this developmental study of patients attending rheumatology clinics, the generation of pain during blood pressure testing was strongly associated with the diagnosis of FM. This robust linkage probably reflects a tautologic phenomenon. A sine qua nonelement for FM diagnosis is the presence of tender points in discrete anatomic sites. These tender points in turn reflect a state of generalized mechanical allodynia that can be locally elicited by the cuff pressure during blood pressure testing. Sphygmomanometry is a simple bedside test that may be useful in the recognition of patients with FM. Blood pressure testing is a universal procedure in all clinical environments. Based on our results, we suggest searching for FM features in any person who has sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia.

Arm circumference in adults in Poland as an important factor influencing the accuracy of blood pressure readings.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of right arm circumference (RAC) in adults in Poland and to establish how often other than standard cuffs should be used in everyday practice. We also wanted to examine whether large cuffs are available in the market in Poland and whether the cuffs comply with WHO and JNC VII recommendations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2002, we conducted a cross-sectional representative survey NATPOL PLUS to examine prevalence and control of cardiovascular risk factors in Poland. The survey included a questionnaire interview, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements, as well as laboratory tests. The examined representative sample of adults in Poland consisted of 3051 men and women aged 18-94 years. The measurements of RAC were performed in all respondents. Arterial hypertension (AH) diagnosis was based on three separate visits (BP > or =140/90 mmHg or treatment). Subjects with body mass index (BMI) > or =25 kg/m were included to overweight/obese group. RESULTS: The prevalence of AH was 29% and of overweight or obesity, 52%. In 24% of all adults RAC was > or = 32 cm, and in 6% was < 24 cm. In hypertensives, the respective figures were 36 and 3%; and in overweight/obese subjects 40 and 0.6%. Mean RAC was 29.2+/-3.8 cm (males 30.2+/-3.5 cm; females 28.3+/-3.9 cm, P<0.001). Mean RAC was significantly greater (P<0.01) in patients with AH (30.4+/-3.9 cm; males 30.7+/-3.5 cm; females 30.2+/-3.8 cm) than in normotensive subjects (28.4+/-3.7 cm; males 29.9+/-3.4 cm; females 27.3+/-3.5 cm). However, these differences were not statistically significant when the results were adjusted for age and BMI. Additional analysis of sphygmomanometers available in Poland showed that parameters of standard cuffs fulfilled recommendations of JNC VII and WHO/ISH guidelines. However, the sets with large cuffs were usually much more expensive and only one manufacturer made them available as a special order. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of adults in Poland have an arm circumference, which requires use of a 'non-standard' sized cuff. Moreover, in patients with AH or overweight/obese subjects, wider or narrower cuffs should be used in approximately 40% of subjects.

A survey of validated automated home blood pressure monitors available for the Internet shopper.

OBJECTIVE: Self-measurement of blood pressure using an automated home blood pressure monitoring (AHBPM) is increasingly used in hypertension management. Internet commerce increases dramatically each year. This study looked to identify the availability of validity of AHBPM and the correct cuff size to go with the AHBPM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the search engine 'Google.com', the author identified 124 consecutive unique sites offering at least one AHBPM. Validated AHBPM were those devices that had published studies showing that they had passed a recognized validation protocol. Each site was evaluated for all forms of sphygmomanometer, number of AHBPM, manual blood pressure devices, all cuff sizes available, additional cost of large adult cuff, number of validated AHBPM offered, and whether the site mentioned device validation. Of the 124 sites, 109 (81%) offered arm AHBPM and 66 (53%) offered one or more (range, 1-11) validated AHBPM. Only six of the 66 (9%) offering a validated AHBPM mentioned that fact; 58 of the 109 (53%) sites offering arm AHBPM offered more than one size of cuff; and 46 of the 58 (80%) charged extra for a large adult cuff (average US dollars 23.75, range, US dollars 4.80-98). CONCLUSIONS: Validated AHBPMs are readily available on the Internet. Currently, these sites do little to aid the consumer in purchasing a validated AHBPM. Large adult cuffs, commonly needed by hypertensive patients, are not always available for purchase. Charging extra for large adult cuffs is a potential hindrance to consumers purchasing the correct cuff size for accurate blood pressure measurement and should be eliminated.

A verificação da calibração dos manômetros e condições dos esfigmomanômetros aneroídes: um programa de educação continuada para enfermeiros supervisores do Hospital de Base / Evaluation the manometers calibration accuracy and conditions of the aneroid sphygmomanometers: a continuing coordinators program nursing education at Hospital de Base

A pressão arterial é a pressão exercida pelo sangue sobre as paredes das artérias. Mesmo considerando o aparecimento de aparelhos de grande precisão, os manômetros de mercúrio continuam sendo considerados os mais fidedignos para verificação da pressão arterial. No entanto, os aparelhos aneróides menos precisos são mais utilizados. Por esse motivo, recomenda-se que devam ser testadas contra o manômetros de mercúrio. Um paciente erroneamente rotulado de hipertenso será induzido a seguir um tratamento desnecessário, enquanto pacientes hipertensos não diagnosticados podem estar sendo excluídos dos benefícios do tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar a calibragem do manômetro aneróide, verificar as condições dos esfigmomanômetros e elaborar e implantar um programa de educação continuada. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, onde participaram todos os enfermeiros supervisores do Ambulatório e do Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto/SP. Em relação a calibragem dos manômetros verificou-se: 87,5 por cento encontraram-se descalibrados no Hospital de Base e 44 por cento no Ambulatório. Quanto as condições gerais dos esfigmomanômetros, 95 por cento dos aparelhos estavam em boas condições de uso no Hospital em estudo, enquanto que, apenas 14,4 por cento dos aparelhos no Ambulatório estão nestas condições

Do community based self-reading sphygmomanometers improve detection of hypertension? A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke and ischaemic heart disease. Most hypertension is detected opportunistically by general practitioners. Those who rarely use medical services are less likely to have their blood pressure (BP) measured. We hypothesized that open access self-reading BP measurement would detect previously unrecognized hypertension. METHODS: Self-reading sphygmomanometers were placed at 13 public sites in Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom. Machine use was determined by users completing a proforma and by direct observation of sites. Users whose BP reading was above an action level of 135/85 mmHg were asked to attend their general practice. General practitioner records were reviewed 6 months after machine use to identify diagnoses of hypertension. A random sample of users was interviewed, and local general practices were asked about effects on their workload. RESULTS: A total of 758 first time users completed a proforma fully, although direct observations suggested total use was much higher. Of the total, 221 (29.2 per cent) readings were above the action level. Eleven new hypertensives were found, 1.4 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval (CI 0.7-2.5) of the total users. User acceptability was high. All general practice replies were supportive. CONCLUSION: Open access sphygmomanometry for detection of hypertension is feasible. This scheme led to the diagnosis of hypertension in 1.4 per cent of users, and allowed many people to measure their BP in a way convenient to them. Before recommending wider implementation we suggest a study examining if our results are transferable to other settings, and if this approach reduces inequalities and is cost-effective.

Devices for blood pressure measurement.

Blood pressure may be recorded by manual or automatic methods. Manual techniques are susceptible to operator bias. Automatic devices are prone to unreliable readings in patients with certain conditions. Staff need training in the use of blood pressure monitoring devices.