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Clinical evaluation of the sphygmomat 2 semi-automatic blood pressure monitor.

The Sphygmomat 2 blood pressure monitor is a compact and portable electronic device based on detection of Korotkoff sounds using a piezo-electric microphone. We have compared its accuracy with the Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer, which is commonly used in epidemiological and pharmacological studies. Comparison of manometers was conducted by two trained observers on 49 people with a wide range of blood pressures. The Sphygmomat 2 was found to have a median difference of 5.2 mmHg for systolic and 1 mmHg for diastolic pressure, in both cases reading higher than the Hawksley sphygmomanometer. The portability, versatility and accuracy suggest that the Sphygmomat 2 is a valuable instrument for general clinical use.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The type and screen: are patient charges a valid measure of cost reduction?

Previous studies of the type and screen have employed reduction in patient charges as a measure of cost savings. Actual cost reductions were estimated as well as patient charge reductions, for the type and screen in a large university medical center with 38,519 cross-matches and 18,152 red cell containing transfusions (C/T = 2.12) in 1980. If the type and screen had been implemented for elective surgical procedures with C/T greater than 2, the C/T for these services would have fallen from 2.82 to 2.17. If use of the type and screen were extended to obstetrics patients, the total surgical and obstetrical patient charges would be reduced by $51,752, but only $9,232 or less in actual cost reduction would have accrued. The type and screen does not lead to significant decreases in labor or overhead costs which are the largest component of patient charges. Patient charge savings are not a valid measure of actual cost reduction in our setting.

ABO Blood-Group System↗