How accurate are home blood pressure monitors for remote patient monitoring?
Home blood pressure monitors provide patients with an accurate alternative to in-person doctor visits. Patients with at-home monitors have the ability to check their blood pressure twice daily, the recommended amount, or more often, without making multiple trips to the doctor’s office.
When paired with cellular connectivity, these home blood pressure monitors are useful for remote patient monitoring, as patient data can be quickly and easily transferred to clinicians. Remote patient monitoring providers like 100Plus will replace at home blood pressure monitors at no cost to the patient, furnishing them with an easy-to-use device with phone and email support built right into the program.
How long do home blood pressure monitors last?
On average, home blood pressure monitors last about three years. To ensure accuracy, 100Plus will replace devices at no additional cost for as long as your patient is a part of the program.
What is the best blood pressure monitor for at home use?
For at home use, it is best that the blood pressure monitor has cellular connection. This way, clinicians can access and utilize patient data as soon as it is recorded. To ensure total support through remote patient monitoring, your at-home program should be accompanied by a support number and email so patients can speak to real customer service representatives. Only a select few at-home patient monitoring systems, such as 100Plus, provide comprehensive support.
How do I check my blood pressure with a 100Plus at home monitor?
If this is your first time using your at home blood pressure monitor, you will first need to install batteries.
Install the batteries your device came with, pre-provided by 100Plus, into the back of the device following the diagram inside of the battery compartment.
Then connect the cuff to the device by plugging the cuff connector in.
How to secure the cuff to your arm
Expose your left upper arm by removing or adjusting clothing and jewelry. Make sure blood flow is not constricted by a rolled-up sleeve.
Open the cuff and loosen fully.
Orient the cuff so that the tube exits towards the hand.
Place your arm through the cuff loop, with your palm facing up.
Position the cuff’s edge about an inch (2-3 cm) above the elbow.
Align the Ф marker (located to the right of tube exit) with the center of your arm.
Your device arrives with a universal cuff size, which is designed to fit most but may not be your ideal size. Please contact 100Plus support if you would like a smaller or larger cuff.
Tighten the cuff evenly around your arm by pulling on the end — make sure the Ф marker stays aligned with the center of your arm.
Wrap the end of the cuff over your arm to secure it in place. Don’t make it too tight — allow two fingers to fit between the cuff and your arm.
How to take your blood pressure measurement
Lay your arm on a table with your palm facing up. The cuff should be at the same height as your heart. Sit up straight and rest your feet flat on the ground. Make sure the tube is not kinked or pinched.
Press the START/STOP button on the device to turn it on.
Wait for the device to power on, and perform the measurement while inflating the cuff.
When the measurement concludes, results are shown on the display and the cuff automatically deflates.
Remove the cuff after it deflates.
Transmitting data to your clinician
The device automatically transmits measurement results. During this process an indicator is shown in the middle of the display.
When the measurement is successfully transmitted, the device shows the following indication before powering off.
Are home blood pressure monitors reliable?
Yes! At home blood pressure monitors are a reliable way to check your blood pressure. The best way to ensure reliability with an at home device is to bring your device to your doctor’s office to compare your at home device readings to the readings taken by your doctor.
At home blood pressure monitors can be even more reliable at home due to something called white coat syndrome. This means that patients' blood pressure can be elevated at the doctor's office due to the stress and anxiety of the visit itself. Relieving patients of that anxiety by providing at home blood pressure testing can ensure more accurate readings.
Additionally, the type of cuff being used in blood pressure testing makes a difference. Programs such as 100Plus provide blood pressure cuffs that are fitted to patients' upper arms, which generally yield the most accurate results.
