|
The practice has a
new waiting room blood pressure
machine. This machine is a highly
sophisticated device which takes
account of the diameter of your arm.
This machine is validated and
calibrated, and is accurate to
within 1mm.
You do need to be shown how to use
the Blood Pressure machine the first
time when you will have the blood
pressure checked in both arms.
Please put ten minutes aside for
this. You should therefore arrive
ten minutes early to any
appointment.
You are welcome to check your blood
pressure using the machine when you
are in the surgery. Two readings per
year are about right for well
controlled blood pressure, or one
reading every 4 years for people
without blood pressure problems.
Please let the receptionists know
that you would like it checking the
first time. You can just check it
yourself using the machine for
future readings but please sit down
for 5 minutes before using it.
There are two possible outcomes,
depending on whether you have an
appointment or not.
Where you do not have an appointment
to see anyone afterwards, please
pass the printout to the
receptionist who will note your
details on the result and pass it to
the Blood Pressure Nurse. You will
be contacted if any further action
is required. Please check that you
are told which arm to have your
blood pressure checked in future.
The blood pressure does vary from
arm to arm and it is best to always
use the same arm for future readings
(whether done by somebody, at home,
or using the waiting room machine).
Where you do have an appointment
with somebody immediately afterwards
then please bring the printout to
your appointment when the doctor or
nurse will advise you about the
level.
|