GE HEALTHCARE B20, User'S Reference Manual

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Non-invasive blood pressure
14-1
14 Non-invasive blood pressure
Safety precautions
Warnings
•
The NIBP parameter will not measure blood pressure effectively on patients who are
experiencing seizures or tremors.
•
Arrhythmias will increase the time required by the NIBP parameter to determine a blood
pressure and may extend the time beyond the capabilities of the parameter.
•
Do not apply external pressure against the cuff while monitoring. Doing so may cause
inaccurate blood pressure values.
•
Do not place the cuff on a limb being used for A-V fistulas, intravenous infusion or on any
area where circulation is compromised or has the potential to be compromised.
•
Accuracy of NIBP measurement depends on using a cuff of the proper size. It is essential
to measure the circumference of the limb and choose the proper size cuff.
•
The cuff size selected in the NIBP menu and the cuff size used must be correct to obtain
reliable NIBP data and to prevent overpressure in neonatal or pediatric use.
•
For SuperSTAT TM NIBP Only - It takes one to three minutes for the NIBP parameter to
identify an irregular rhythm after ECG is connected. For patients with irregular rhythms,
simultaneous monitoring of ECG will enhance NIBP performance. Wait three minutes
after ECG has been connected and ECG heart rate is present on the monitor screen
before performing an NIBP determination.
•
NIBP READINGS MAY TIME OUT WHEN USING IABP — An IABP balloon pump creates non-
physiological arterial waveforms. These waveforms create an oscillometric signal that
may not be interpreted by the NIBP algorithm, causing NIBP to time out. The patient blood
pressure can be monitored from the balloon pump device.
•
GE Healthcare monitors are designed for use with dual-hose cuffs and tubing. The use of
single-hose cuffs with dual hose tubing can result in unreliable and inaccurate NIBP data.
•
If a patient’s beat-to-beat pulse amplitude varies significantly (e.g., because of pulsus
alternans, atrial fibrillation, or the use of a rapid-cycling artificial ventilator), blood
pressure and pulse rate readings can be erratic, and an alternate measuring method
should be used for confirmation.
•
If Luer lock connectors are used in the construction of tubing, there is a possibility that
they might be inadvertently connectd to intravascular fluid systems, allowing air to be
pumped in to a blood vessel.
Cautions
•
Devices that exert pressure on tissue have been associated with purpura, skin avulsion,
compartmental syndrome, ischemia, and/or neuropathy. To minimize these potential
problems, especially when monitoring at frequent intervals or over extended periods of
time, make sure the cuff is applied appropriately and examine the cuff site and the limb
distal to the cuff regularly for signs of impeded blood flow.