(In)conformities in blood pressure measurement in primary health care

Abstract Introduction Inaccurate blood pressure measurement (BPM) can produce harmful results for people and the health system. Objective To evaluate the process and the BPM structure performed by nursing professionals in Primary Care Units (PCU) of the Unified Health System (SUS) of Blumenau-SC. Method Cross-sectional evaluation study of 16 stages of the 381 MPA process defined in the VI Brazilian Guidelines on Hypertension and analysis of physical and structural aspects of PCU 18. Results The average of noise were 60.4 ± 7.4 dB, the average temperature was 22.8 °C ± 1.9. The sphygmomanometers were not checked and calibrated every six months in 16 of the 18 units. Of the 16 steps, only six had higher compliance than 70% and accordingly had four steps of zero. Noteworthy is the use of inappropriate bracket (32%) and only 4 systolic and 11 diastolic did not end in zero digit. Nurses reported that 77.1% never had received prior training in BPM by SUS. Conclusions The structure and process of BMP presented unconformities in most recommended steps. Local managers should provide structural and technological conditions appropriate to correct BPM in order to prevent damage to people and unnecessary expenses for SUS.