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Subject: Automated Bp's and Atrial Fibrilation
Author: Paul Benstead
Posted: Wed 20th May 2009
Hi everyone,I just wanted to share my findings on the above.During my initial examination of a patient I would normally record a manual BP when doing my primary observations along with handheld pulse oximitry etc.Once the patient was attached to the monitor the automated BP cuff would then be attached to record further BP measurments on route .I've noticed on several occasions a stark difference in the automated and manual readings on patients with a presenting rythym of AF and weak and thready pulses.So which one is accurate?Well, I've found a reference in The Nursing Times;
"If a patient has a weak thready pulse associated with atrial fibrilation,the automated device can be innaccurate"(Beevers et al,2001)Nursing Times 2009.
I was just wondering if anyone else on the forum had any thoughts on this.I've contacted my own clinical directorate on this matter and have submitted a small article in the NEAS magazine.

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