BLOOD PRESSURE MEASURING TECHNIQUES AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN KSA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is critical for the diagnosis and management of hypertension, a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. However, challenges in measurement techniques and knowledge gaps among healthcare professionals can lead to inaccurate readings, compromising patient care. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the difficulties healthcare professionals face in BP measurement and explore the variability in measurement practices.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. A total of 627 articles were initially identified. After removing 524 irrelevant articles, 103 studies were screened for eligibility. Of these, 60 full-text articles were reviewed, and two studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized to highlight common challenges and discrepancies in BP measurement practices among healthcare professionals.

Results: The two included studies revealed significant challenges in BP measurement. One study identified that 60% of hospital staff in a teaching hospital lacked sufficient knowledge of fundamental BP measurement techniques. Key issues included improper understanding of cuff size, arm positioning, and deflation rates, which led to inconsistent and inaccurate readings. The other one examined BP measurement devices and methods in primary healthcare settings across Saudi Arabia. The study found that mercury sphygmomanometers were most commonly used (69.8%), followed by electronic devices (16.5%) and aneroid manometers (11.8%). However, electronic and aneroid devices were prone to measurement variations, especially in rural areas, emphasizing the need for standardized devices to reduce bias.

Conclusion: This review highlights critical gaps in knowledge and variability in BP measurement methods among healthcare professionals, which can adversely impact hypertension management. Addressing these challenges requires targeted educational programs and the adoption of reliable and standardized devices to improve measurement accuracy. Enhancing BP measurement practices is essential for achieving better patient outcomes and reducing the burden of hypertension-related complications.