Comparison of manual versus automated blood pressure measurement in intensive care unit, coronary care unit, and emergency room

BACKGROUND: Accuracy of blood pressure (BP) measurement in clinical settings is one of the most concerns despite of promotion in techniques for the measurement of BP. Our aim was to compare automated versus manual BP measurement in intensive care unit (ICU), coronary care unit (CCU), and emergency room patients. METHODS: Totally, 117 patients in ICU, CCU, and emergency department were registered in the study. Demographic information was recorded. The cardioset heart monitoring device was used for measuring BP and mercury sphygmomanometer with appropriate cuffs was used for manual method. Then, the mean BP of two methods was compared based on different age, sex, weight, and disease findings. RESULTS: The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 124.526 mmHg, with minimum and maximum of 123.111 and 125.940 mmHg, respectively (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.893); furthermore, mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 73.496 mmHg, with minimum and maximum of 72.718 and 74.247 mmHg, respectively (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.852). SBP was significantly different between the two methods, and especially in patients below 60 years, hospitalized in ICU ward, overweight, mid-upper arm circumference below 27 cm, and with neurosurgery problems, it was higher by manual method (P < 0.050). Moreover, DBP was more in manual method in patients with female sex, below 60 years, hospitalized in ICU ward and with neurosurgery problems (P < 0.050). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that manual method in measurement of BP frequently shows higher BP, especially in patients admitted to hospitals-affecting up to 15 mmHg higher, and this discrepancy is more in critical situations.