Welch Allyn 6000 Series Connex Vital Signs Monitor - User Manual - Manual (Page 130)

Position the cuff
Note The monitor and cuffs were validated using the bare upper arm site.
WARNING Patient injury risk. Do not use the NIBP for continuous
monitoring without frequently checking the patient's limb. When a patient
is being monitored frequently or for a prolonged period, regularly remove
the cuff to inspect it and to check the cuff site for ischemia, purpura, or
neuropathy.
WARNING Inaccurate measurement risk. Do not place the cuff where it
can disturb proper circulation. Do not place the cuff on any area where
circulation is compromised or on any extremity used for intravenous
infusions. Do not use an SpO2 finger clip sensor and a blood pressure cuff
simultaneously on the same limb. Doing so may cause a temporary loss of
pulsatile flow, resulting in either no reading or an inaccurate SpO2 or pulse
rate until the flow returns.
WARNING The blood pressure cuff must be properly positioned to ensure
blood pressure accuracy and patient safety. Wrapping the cuff too loosely
(preventing proper inflation) may result in inaccurate NIBP readings.
CAUTION If a site other than the bare upper arm is used, the blood
pressure measurements may be different. It is important to document the
alternate site on the patient record.
CAUTION To minimize inaccurate measurement, limit patient movement
during an NIBP measurement cycle.
Before taking an NIBP measurement, follow these steps to properly attach the cuff to
the patient.
1. Check the cuff for residual air from a previous measurement. Squeeze the cuff as
needed to completely deflate the cuff.
2. Position the cuff on the patient's bare upper arm midway between the shoulder and
the elbow.
3. Wrap the cuff snugly so that there is room for no more than two fingers between
the cuff and the patient's bare upper arm.
4. Position the alignment mark on the cuff directly over the brachial artery.
5. Ensure that the blood pressure tubing has no kinks or twists.
Note In situations where you cannot position the cuff level with
the heart, you should adjust the measurements as follows
for greater accuracy. For each inch (2.54 cm) that the cuff is
above the level of the heart, add 1.8 mmHg to the displayed
reading. For each inch (2.54 cm) that the cuff is below the
level of the heart, subtract 1.8 mmHg from the displayed
reading. It is important to document the adjustment on the
patient record.
124 Patient monitoring Welch Allyn Connex ® Vital Signs Monitor 6000 Series™