Home readings are only as good as the technique behind them. Use a validated automated upper-arm device, and check its readings against a clinic measurement at the first visit. The cuff must fit the arm: a cuff that is too small reads falsely high, which matters in pregnant women with a large arm circumference.
Ask the woman to sit for five minutes with her back supported, feet flat and arm resting at heart level, and to take two readings a minute apart. She should know in advance which readings mean phoning the unit the same day and which mean going straight to hospital, and she should report headache, visual disturbance or upper abdominal pain whatever the number.
- Use a validated upper-arm automated device and compare it with a clinic reading once.
- Measure arm circumference and choose a cuff that fits.
- Seated, back supported, feet flat, arm at heart level, after five minutes' rest.
- Two readings a minute apart, recorded with the time.
- Give written thresholds for calling the unit and for attending hospital.
Why it matters
Remote monitoring is only safe if the readings are accurate and the woman knows what to do with them.
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