S Zaheer1, L Watson, N J A Webb. 1. Department of Paediatric Nephrology and NIHR/Wellcome Trust Children's Clinical Research Facility, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, , Manchester, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) monitoring in UK children at risk of hypertension takes place predominantly in secondary and tertiary care. OBJECTIVES: To investigate (i) the availability of paediatric BP equipment in primary care (PC) and (ii) the confidence of PC professionals in measuring and interpreting children's BP. METHODS: 103 PC practices were approached to complete a questionnaire. BP equipment availability and confidence with BP measurement and interpretation were recorded (interval scale 1-10). Cuff size and equipment type were documented. RESULTS: 95 (92%) practices responded; 40/95 possessed paediatric BP cuffs. 35/51 devices were validated for paediatric use. Median (IQR) confidence in BP measurement was 7 (2-8). Confidence in BP interpretation was 3 (2-6), though this improved if normal ranges were provided (8 (6-9), p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Investment in appropriate equipment and education is required to allow PC to successfully monitor BP in children.
BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) monitoring in UK children at risk of hypertension takes place predominantly in secondary and tertiary care. OBJECTIVES: To investigate (i) the availability of paediatric BP equipment in primary care (PC) and (ii) the confidence of PC professionals in measuring and interpreting children's BP. METHODS: 103 PC practices were approached to complete a questionnaire. BP equipment availability and confidence with BP measurement and interpretation were recorded (interval scale 1-10). Cuff size and equipment type were documented. RESULTS: 95 (92%) practices responded; 40/95 possessed paediatric BP cuffs. 35/51 devices were validated for paediatric use. Median (IQR) confidence in BP measurement was 7 (2-8). Confidence in BP interpretation was 3 (2-6), though this improved if normal ranges were provided (8 (6-9), p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Investment in appropriate equipment and education is required to allow PC to successfully monitor BP in children.
Entities:
Keywords:
Blood pressure; Paediatrics; Primary care