Table 3 Assessment of participants’ blood pressure measurement technique, pre- and post-program (N = 210)
Observed behavior | Encounters, N (%) Pre-intervention | Encounters, N (%) Post-intervention | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
Total Observations | 122 (58%) | 88 (42%) | |
Clinical staff behavior | |||
Explains protocol | 72 (59%) | 70 (80%) | < 0.01 |
Does not give vaccine during blood pressure measurement | 122 (100%) | 88 (100%) | 1 |
Does not do fingerstick during blood pressure measurement | 118 (97%) | 85 (97%) | .98 |
Positions patient with back supported | 119 (98%) | 87 (99%) | .76 |
Positions patient with legs uncrossed | 114 (94%) | 87 (99%) | .08 |
Uses correct cuff size | 117 (97%) | 82 (93%) | .24 |
Palpates brachial artery | 16 (13%) | 7 (8%) | .22 |
Measures blood pressure in right arm | 77 (64%) | 37 (42%) | < 0.01 |
Applies cuff to bare arm or over thin sleeve | 113 (93%) | 85 (97%) | .31 |
Positions patient with arm supported | 107 (88%) | 67 (76%) | .02 |
Positions patient with arm at heart level | 119 (98%) | 61 (69%) | < 0.01 |
Uses device with P-set on auto mode | 117 (98%) | 87 (99%) | .75 |
Uses device in Average mode | 78 (66%) | 85 (97%) | < 0.01 |
Provides patient with a rest period | 80 (66%) | 75 (85%) | < 0.01 |
Records average of 3 blood pressure readings | 76 (63%) | 84 (95%) | < 0.01 |
Patient behaviors | |||
Patient remains in position throughout measurement | 112 (93%) | 86 (98%) | .1 |
Patient remains quiet during cuff inflation | 94 (78%) | 75 (85%) | .17 |
Patient remains still during cuff inflation | 102 (84%) | 47 (53%) | < 0.01 |