Blood Pressure Cuff Recommendations?

[cfiddlinmama]

Hi! I'm looking to buy a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. I need to learn how to take bp and my dh is an EMT and needs practice. I don't need bells and whistles. Just a decent priced reliable model. Thank you!

[CortLong]

This is the one that I have and like just fine:
http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=8579

If you also need a decent stethescope then I'd get this set:
http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=2875

[CarolynnMarilynn]

Also, remember to get a large adult cuff, in addition to the regular cuff your sphyg will come with. Many people have arms large enough that the regular cuff doesn't provide an accurate reading. I also have a small adult as I see people who are smaller than average too, and they need a cuff that fits their small arms.

[pamamidwife]

I like the palm model style best. It's not the cheapest, but it's easy to use (especially in the field for EMTs!).

I second Carolynn's suggestion of a large adult cuff, but if he's going to be an EMT chances are he'll have that and more.

[cfiddlinmama]

Thank you for the links. DH has equipment in the field we just want to practice at home.

Does anyone have experience with any of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Sphyg...4118719&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.com/Omron-0108M-Sp...4118719&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Omron-Sprague-...4118719&sr=8-3

Sorry about the long links - It won't let me change the middle info for some reason...

I have heard really good things about the Littmann stethoscopes. It probably would serve me well, but is something else going to work ok apprenticing?

Thanks for any advice - I appreciate it!

[Reha]

Originally Posted by cfiddlinmama

I have heard really good things about the Littmann stethoscopes. It probably would serve me well, but is something else going to work ok apprenticing?

Thanks for any advice - I appreciate it!

I have a plain old cheap steth (this one: http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=1561 ) and it has served me just fine. I really only use it for bp checks. I will eventually get a Littmann, but probably not until I am done apprenticing.

[cfiddlinmama]

Thanks Lennon!

Also, how important is it to get a latex free bp cuff?

[Reha]

IMO, I would definitely go for latex free. Enough women have latex sensitivities, that it just makes sense to me.

[Jane]

Plus, you don't want to get latex sensitive yourself. Health care workers are the fastest growing group of people with allergies.

[fennel]

As an apprentice, I think you can get away with a cheap stethoscope and it can become your backup when you are practicing as a senior midwife. There is a definite difference in quality, and there are times when the pricey steth picks up subtle sounds that the $7 one can't. As long as you have access to your preceptor's stethoscope in case there was ever a question, the cheap one is fine.

Definitely go latex-free on the cuff. Latex sensitivities are very common, and they get worse with continued exposure.

[Peppamint]

Lennon- I was all gung-ho about paying more for a Littmann (even had it in my cart) and then found reviews on a medical student website where only one person liked Littmann. Does your preceptor use a Littmann? I will definitely need a better stetho later down the road, my cheapie isn't much good for anything but BP I guess.

Pamela- what do you mean by palm model? (eta: oh, do you mean the regular vs. digital?)

Thanks for starting the thread cfiddlinmama, I wanted to but a BP cuff on my christmas list.

[Reha]

I can't recall what her's is....maybe a Littman?

I am also a BIG fan of the palm style. Here is the one that I have:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Prestige-Medical...QQcmdZViewItem

[Peppamint]

Originally Posted by Lennon

I can't recall what her's is....maybe a Littman?

I am also a BIG fan of the palm style. Here is the one that I have:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Prestige-Medical...QQcmdZViewItem

I looked at Amazon (I was looking at Cascade where most or all are the palm model) and now I see what you mean. Some would require two hands. Definitely looks like palm model is the way to go.

[cfiddlinmama]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered a latex free Mabis higher end style from Cascade. It has a lifetime calibration warranty so I thought is sounded good! I can't wait until it comes.

Also, I was wondering, does anyone know the difference/pros-cons of dual tubing vs single tubing on stethoscopes? I couldn't find it in any of my books or online.

ETA: I ordered the $7 stethoscope you recommended, Lennon. I was just wondering about the difference in the two styles.

[Jane]

It's a little more clear with two tubes. But it's way more unwieldy with two - twisty and chunky.

[daintyfrump]

I have gone through 3 bp cuffs in 14 months! I don't drop anything else, but those big clunky sphygnometers slip from my fingers. If I could just buy a box of 50 gauges I'd be set. Until I have access to easy calibration I'm definatly not going to buy an expensive, though lovely, one-hander. Not too fond of clipping the dial on the cuff either. Prenatally the client will hold it for me, or I'll prop it somewhere. Mine come with lifetime callibration, but you must mail it off, which isn't cheap. I've heard a few midwives can get the o2 guys to calibrate for them.

The earbuds that come on the Littman are very nice, but way too big for my ears. If I hold my head just right and the moon is waxing the sounds are great, otherwise I can't hear a thing with it. Nothing. Quite scary in a resus when I grabbed whatever steth was in reach. The doppler was right there as well and worked just fine! Someday when I can play with different earbuds I may get a Littman but now I'm happy with the double tube Sprague stethescope.

My fetoscope is an allen 10 head on a very cheap student stethoscope body and headpiece. The earbuds are tiny!

[mwherbs]

I prefer a Littman stethoscope because you can buy the very soft ear pieces in different sizes to fit-- they don't hurt my ears- full days of clinic will show how painful poor fitting equipment can be and I can hear very clearly lungs and heart sounds-- for the most part what fits your ears best will end up giving you better sound-- I used for years the cheap ones from the local community college book store- the they have non-latex sets but the stethoscopes were always hurting my ears--

as for a cuff- get a couple at least one large and one regular size-- one that has the guage mounted with the pump is the most convenient


here is a picture of the one hand --
http://www.uniformdiscount.com/produ...cat=396&page=1

[MidwifeErika]

I am buying a littmann stethoscope. I hadn't planned on spending the money and instead bought this stethoscope: http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=0201
Big problem, it picks up so much room noise that I can hardly get a blood pressure. I used a littmann stethoscope at a birth to do a blood pressure and I just about fell off the bed with how loud the blood pressure sounded! I want to be sure that I am hearing things accurately, so I am going to go ahead and spend the money now.

[pamamidwife]

Erika, did you make sure that the side of the stethoscope you were using was correct? Sometimes if the tubing is set to the smaller bell (which would be on the top if you're taking BP), it will pick up only outside noise, not the pulse rate.

I have a Littman and I like mine, though I don't consider it really loud. Maybe coming from a cheaper steth to this one seems louder? Or perhaps it's because I can't hear at all.

Daintyfrump, I'd highly recommend the Palm Model BP cuff - especially if you're the type to take the gauge off the cuff. Having the inflation bulb and the gauge in one hand makes a BIG difference to me - plus you can do BP in any position.

[Peppamint]

I'm back with another question!

I was looking at an ADC multi-cuff kit (model 731 comes with child, adult and large adult interchageable cuffs)... for around $100 I'd have multiple sizes of cuffs, a carrying case and they are latex-free.

Do you guys find the interchangeable cuffs to work as well or is it better to invest in separate sphygmomanometers of varying cuff sizes?