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Research for Practice Writer's Award was given to Cherie Parks, BSN, RN-BC, and co-authors for their article, "Educational Needs: What Female Patients Want from their Cardiovascular Health Care Providers." Published in the January/February 2011 issue of Med Surg Nursing, this study asked patients to identify their own cardiovascular health care needs and then compared those assessments to the needs identified by their health care providers. The authors are employed by the University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA.
UVA Nurses Publish Blood Pressure Research Results
THE EFFECT OF PATIENT POSITIONING, TIMING AND HEALTH CARE EXAMINER ATTIRE ON MANUAL BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS IN AN AMBULATORY CARDIOLOGY CLINIC SETTING
Authors: Melanie Turner, BSN , Cherie Chaney , BSN, Margaret Dame, BSN, Cherie Parks, BSN, Sandra Staggers, MSN, Melissa Stell, BSN , Joel Thompson, BS and Melynda Zarzyski, MS, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Background: Accurate blood pressure measurement is essential to prevent unnecessary treatments such as dietary restrictions, exposure to potential side effects from drug treatment, medication expense, and adverse socioeconomic effects. Blood pressure measurement is the most widely diagnostic recording made in the ambulatory cardiology clinic setting. The American Heart Association (AHA) states that the accuracy and reliability of blood pressure measurement is improved by proper position and timing.
Methods: 100 subjects were randomized to two seated positions at defined intervals (position "A" seated on an exam table, legs dangling and no back support or position "B" seated in a chair with both feet resting on floor, back supported in chair and arm supported at the level of the heart). A final measurement was accomplished in the opposite position.
Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the seated position were lower than the table position for all measurements (SBP p=0.00 and DBP p=0.05). Waiting greater than ten minutes before BP measurement resulted in lower systolic blood pressures (p=0.001) but not in diastolic measurements. No difference in systolic or diastolic blood pressures were found with health care examiner attire.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that patient positioning and timing affects blood pressure measurement accuracy. It did not support the hypothesis that blood pressure is affected by care giver attire (i.e. "white coat syndrome"). The American Heart Association recommendation for positioning and timing of BP measurement should be applied in the ambulatory care setting.
