The Need for Manual Skills in an Automated World to Obtain Timely Blood Pressures in Trauma Patients.

Abstract

Obtaining the first blood pressure (BP) during adult trauma team activations was often delayed. A review of patient charts revealed that the average time to first documented BP was 6.6 minutes when using an automatic BP cuff. The purpose was to determine whether taking the initial BP using a manual cuff decreases the time it takes to obtain the first BP. The Iowa Model Revised was used as the framework for this project. An algorithm was developed, and staff were educated and validated on their ability to obtain manual BPs. A 2-month practice change pilot was launched on adult full and partial trauma team activations. It was determined that taking a BP manually during adult trauma resuscitations was more efficient, allowing for earlier determination of patient status. Obtaining the initial BP manually was 54% more timely and led to an evidence-based practice change.