Blood pressure measurement in family physician offices

In January of 1986, board certified family physicians in 407 medical offices within New York state were surveyed to ascertain the range of blood pressure (BP) equipment available in their offices. Information regarding the calibration of anaeroid BP cuffs was also obtained. Most physicians in the sample who saw infants and children in their office did not carry infant-size BP cuffs. Several respondents did not carry an adequate range of BP cuff sizes suitable for small or large adult arms. Additionally, the majority of family physicians in the sample did not calibrate their BP cuffs in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. In general, the evidence accumulated leads to questions about the overall accuracy of BP measurement in family physician offices.