Accuracy of sphygmomanometers at pharmacies.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of this study are to assess the reasons of using sphygmomanometers at pharmacies and to evaluate their accuracy.

METHODS

135 devices (118 aneroid, 1 mercury, and 16 automated) from 125 pharmacies (located in Samsun city center) were included in the study. A non-randomized, cross-sectional design was used for the study protocol which had two parts: assessment of devices and a questionnaire about the pharmacy and present sphygmomanometer(s).

RESULTS

40 (30%) of the 135 sphygmomanometers were inaccurate. 65 (48%) of the devices were older than 1 year and there was no correlation between the duration of the ownership of the sphygmomanometers and their inaccuracy (p > 0.05). Blood pressure measurement is a frequent practice at pharmacies. The aneroid type of sphygmomanometers was common. A limited number of devices were checked for accuracy before. The number of validated devices was low.

CONCLUSION

Training programs for pharmacists including the accuracy of sphygmomanometers and regular checks of sphygmomanometers for accuracy will be beneficial to the community and to the subjects requesting measurement of blood pressure at the pharmacies.