BLOOD-PRESSURE MEASUREMENT IN PREGNANCY - A SURVEY OF METHODS USED INTEACHING HOSPITALS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

A voluntary, anonymous 10-point multiple choice questionnaire was used to assess variability in methods used to measure blood pressure in pr egnancy in 5 South Australian teaching hospitals. Medical and midwifer y staff working in maternity units attached to teaching hospitals in S outh Australia were asked to complete a survey of their current practi ce related to the measurement of blood pressune in pregnant women; 213 replies were received from 440 surveyed (48% response rate). There wa s a lack of standardization of practice for: positioning of the patien t, use of the 4th or 5th Korotkoff sound for diastolic blood pressure, cuff selection, rounding of the measurement, selection of the left or right arm, and period of premeasurement resting. Systematic errors av eraging 10-15 mmHg can be expected in measurement of blood pressure in pregnancy due to failure of standardization of method. There is a nee d for standardization of method which is not being met by present meth ods of staff training in teaching hospitals.