Evaluation of the ability of clinical staff to measure blood pressure as well as the functional state of hospital sphygmomanometers has consistently demonstrated marked deficiencies. In this study, the working order of all sphygmomanometers (manual and automated) in a teaching hospital was evaluated. Nursing staff were tested on their knowledge and use of such devices and were also asked to estimate the blood pressure from videotape. The accuracy of a commonly used automated device, Dinamap 8100, was also measured. Of 543 manual sphygmomanometers, 14% were in perfect working order although portable devices were more likely to be functional (47% of 36 units). In contrast, all 135 automated portable devices were in perfect working order although service requirements were seldom met. The mean time since last service was 18 months. There appeared to be an inverse correlation between the availability of automated and manual devices and the maintenance of wall-mounted bedside sphy!
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