With the flood of blood pressure monitors on the market, it is right to say something about the control of these, about the contractors and about the common dilemmas regarding the measured values. Electronic meters offer new detection options (eg errors in the measurement process, heart rate disturbances, etc.), which simplifies the measurement.
Manufacturers of quality meters, unlike non-established manufacturers, work closely with the medical profession and are developing increasingly advanced devices.
What do we mean by control and why is it implemented?
The control is primarily a comparison of the meter with the prescribed metrological requirements. In practice, this means that it is necessary to control the accuracy, tightness of the pneumatic system, the discharge of the fast valve and the slow discharge valve or. pressure drop steps. Blood pressure monitors are diagnostic devices and blood pressure is an important indicator of our health, so the meters need to be monitored regularly due to the possible time instability of some of their parameters. The law stipulates that meters in public use must be certified every 2 years. For meters for personal use, it is also recommended to perform a check every 2 years.
Who performs verifications, who controls and how?
Regular verifications can only be performed by accredited entities. Controls oz. calibrations are also performed by authorized services, which must also follow the correct control procedures. These are usually specified by the manufacturers and are in line with international recommendations. The task of authorized services is to ensure the faultlessness of meters, which also includes control or. calibration.
The most common dilemmas in practice regarding the measured values
Why do the results fluctuate?
In successive measurements with short time intervals, the measurement results differ mainly due to the closure of the vessel with a cuff, which can be significantly reflected in the next measurement, especially in the case of hard, ie less flexible vessels. Fluctuations at longer intervals are better known in practice, as the pressure is influenced by factors such as: well-being, activity, environment, etc.
Why the differences between measurements in the upper arm and wrist?
There are no differences in accuracy between the upper arms and wrists with quality gauges. although opinion prevails. that the wrists are less accurate. The fact is. that the actual pressures of the upper arms and wrists may differ. especially in the elderly or people with impaired blood vessels for other reasons.
Calibration or purchase of a new, perhaps cheap meter?
At the same time, we ask ourselves the question of whether we want a quality meter that is clinically validated and proven reliable, or whether we are satisfied only with a beautifully designed meter and satisfactory technical properties. It is the clinical validations that confirm the correct operation of the meter algorithms. Many, even cheap gauges, meet the technical data, but some would not pass clinical validations. The question is also what is our attitude towards the environment. The decision for a new meter is in a place where the frequency of use of the meter and the consequent wear of some parts is very high.