Showing papers by "Mark Ashworth published in 2001"
TL;DR: Survey of all sphygmomanometers in current use in one inner city primary care group found inaccuracy rates were lower than in other reported community surveys, and the implication is that all practices need to have procedures in place for the regular calibration of their sphyGMomanometers.
Abstract: Sphygmomanometers are the cornerstone of blood pressure management and yet there is no national standard for the regulation of this equipment in the UK. It is known that these machines may often be inaccurate, particularly those used in the community. We embarked upon a survey of all sphygmomanometers in current use in one inner city primary care group. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, inaccuracy rates were lower than in other reported community surveys with 2.3% of mercury and 14.8% of anaeroid sphygmomanometers failing the test. Surprisingly, inaccurate machines did not cluster in the less well developed practices. The implication is that all practices need to have procedures in place for the regular calibration of their sphygmomanometers.
14 citations
TL;DR: There is evidence to suggest that much higher response rates are necessary and that the traditional requirement of a 70% response rate is inadequate.
Abstract: EDITOR—I read Minerva's contribution about the importance of achieving a 55% response rate in general practitioner surveys.1 There is evidence to suggest that much higher response rates are necessary and that the traditional requirement of a 70% response rate is inadequate. In our survey of …
9 citations