Manual NIBP Measurements and General NIBP Measurement Information
Operation
3 - 6
Accutorr Plus™ Operating Instructions
The pressure on the limb may not fall to zero between measurements if the cuff is wrapped
too tightly. Therefore, assure that the cuff is properly applied.
The skin is sometimes fragile (i.e., on pediatrics, geriatrics, etc.). In these cases, a longer
timer interval should be considered to decrease the number of cuff inflations over a period of
time.
NOTE:
In extreme cases, a thin layer of soft roll or webril cotton
padding may be applied to the limb in order to cushion the
skin when the cuff is inflated. This measure may affect NIBP
performance and should be used with caution.
2.
Attach the cuff hose to the NIBP cuff connector (18). To do this, hold the hose behind the
knurled pressure fitting (female). Push onto the male connector until a click is heard. To
remove, hold the knurled female fitting and pull firmly to release.
3.
Apply the cuff to the patient. To reduce errors, the cuff should fit snugly, but with enough
room for two fingers to be placed between the cuff and the patient’s arm (on adults), and
with little or no air present within the cuff. Cuff should fit loosely on neonates. Apply the
cuff so that the center of the inflation bag (bladder) is over the brachial artery. Be sure
that the INDEX line on the cuff falls between the two RANGE lines. If not, a larger or
smaller cuff is required. Be sure the cuff lies directly against the patient’s skin. For best
results, the cuff should be placed on the arm at heart level and no clothing should come
between the patient and the cuff.
NOTE:
Avoid compression or restriction of the pressure hose. The
NIBP cuff should not be placed on a limb that is being
utilized for any other medical procedure. For example, an
I.V. Catheter.
4.
If required, select the patient size with the PATIENT SETUP key (37). On initial power up,
the configurable default setting is used. Otherwise, the last selected patient size is used.
Initial default cuff inflation pressures depend on the Patient Size setting. See section
3.2.2 for details on changing the initial cuff inflation pressure.
5.
Press the
START NIBP
key (38) to begin an NIBP measurement. A beep is sounded
after a completed measurement.
NOTE:
Inflate the cuff only after proper application to the patient’s
limb. Cuff damage can result if the cuff is left unwrapped
and then inflated.
The cuff begins to inflate to the selected cuff pressure. After reaching the selected pressure,
the cuff begins to slowly deflate and the Accutorr Plus collects oscillometric pulsations.
If the initial cuff inflation is found to be inadequate, the unit retries with a higher inflation
pressure (+50 mmHg in the adult mode; +50 in the pediatric mode; +40 mmHg in the
neonate mode). A triple beep tone is generated.
NOTE:
Any time there is an unsuccessful NIBP measurement, a
triple beep tone is generated.
Have the patient remain still to avoid unnecessary motion artifact. After the cuff pressure
drops below the diastolic pressure, the results of the measurement are displayed and the cuff
is vented to atmosphere.
