SPRINT Study Highlights Importance of Blood Pressure Measurement Accuracy

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. This yearly reminder is a good time to recognize the strides we as an industry have made in raising awareness about the impact of hypertension and reducing death and disability related to high blood pressure. Today, there is greater understanding of the fact that blood pressure (BP) measurement often provides an ideal starting point to help eliminate inefficiencies, achieve better clinical outcomes and lower costs. 

The recent Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) study report showed that lowering systolic blood pressure (SBP) to less than 120 mmHg can reduce cardiovascular events by 25 percent for high-risk patients with hypertension. 

The SPRINT results were in turn the basis for the updated guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology. These guidelines for the detection, prevention, management and treatment of high BP lower the traditional definition of high BP to account for complications that can occur at lower numbers and to allow for earlier intervention.

These developments were major accomplishments that moved the needle in terms of the quality of care provided and outcomes realized. However, there is still plenty of work to be done. 
 

With new guidelines and protocols available, it is an ideal time to think about the real impacts and importance of an accurate BP reading and the proper way to take the measurement. 

Of all the vital signs, BP measurement has perhaps the strongest connection to point of care diagnosis, patient risk stratification and medication dosing. These three critical factors of care management are essential to precise decision-making tied to better outcomes. Because of its centrality in care, it is essential that the BP assessment is accurate and repeatable. 

In order to properly diagnose and treat hypertension—a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke and renal failure—caregivers need to obtain accurate BP measurements, both current and trending. It is also becoming increasingly important to detect small differences in BP readings to appropriately treat patients with diabetes and renal diseases, making accurate trending data and standardized protocols critical. 

Unfortunately, BP measurement continues to be one of the most inconsistently performed tests in the clinical environment. According to the AHA, numerous surveys have shown that physicians and other healthcare providers rarely follow established AHA guidelines for BP measurement; however, when they do, the readings correlate more closely with objective BP measurements than those readings taken not following the guidelines.

Research has shown that BP readings are oftentimes quite different among various members of the care team. Two different caregivers independently acquiring BP measurements using manual methods on the same patient can often get different readings. 

This is not a criticism of healthcare providers. It is a reminder that human nature is such that even with something as simple and routine as BP measurement, there is the risk of human errors and inaccuracies occurring. At the very least, everyone should periodically revisit the 2005 AHA guidelines for in-clinic BP measurement.
 

Introducing a new level of connectivity to vital signs acquisition would further minimize human variations and inefficiencies by normalizing and automating the BP measurement process. 

Having a vital signs monitor that enables wireless auto-connection would change the traditional workflow in vital signs acquisition by establishing a secure, direct wireless connection between the vital signs device and the caregiver’s tablet or laptop. It would eliminate the need to manually connect and disconnect by auto-connecting when the caregiver places their laptop near or away from the diagnostic device.

When connected, caregivers would be able to take vital signs measurements, review results and seamlessly import the information to an electronic medical records (EMR) system, eliminating manual transcription errors. Additionally, the automation made possible by connected vital signs acquisition facilitates the repeatable adherence to a health system’s clinical guidelines for proper BP measurement techniques to achieve more accurate, consistent and reliable measurement for all patients. 

Also, a digital, automated vital signs device that uses the SPRINT methodology and protocol further facilitates the accuracy of the BP measurement process and adherence to guidelines. And with the addition of a connected exam chair that assists in positioning patients in accordance with AHA guidelines for proper BP measurement, caregivers are setup to easily achieve more accurate, consistent and comparable measurements.

With increased focus on BP measurement, the hope is that within the next few years when we celebrate National High Blood Pressure Education Month, we can list BP vital signs acquisition accuracy as an accomplishment.

For more information on the importance of accurate, repeatable blood pressure measurements and how greater connectivity can lead to greater accuracy, visit midmark.com/betterbp. 
 

Midmark helps healthcare providers deliver exceptional patient care with better equipment, smarter workflows and integrated technology. For more than 50 years, Midmark has used our knowledge and unmatched understanding of the ambulatory care space to help our customers improve clinical outcomes and eliminate the barriers preventing seamless, well-coordinated patient care.