BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING PROCEDURE
SACRED HEART HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM
General Information:
1. We will offer Blood Pressure Screening after all masses the third weekend of every
month.
2. We have two manual cuffs (2 regular and 1 large) with 2 stethoscopes.
Procedure: Nurse at 5 PM mass will set up and nurse at 10:00 mass takes down.
1. The BP equipment is in the green Parish Nurse Bag in the medical cabinet next to
the children’s room on the R as you come into the Gathering Space.
2. Put up "FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING AFTER EACH MASS" sign
which is in the sacristy closet with the BP bag on yellow tripod or a chair-tripod is
in storage room by bathrooms-ask usher to get for you or if tripod is being used put
sign on a chair by meeting room door.
3. Put out "SIT: REST WHILE YOU WAIT" sign.
4. File cards with Parish Nurse & parishioner record of BP's is in small plastic file
box. HIPPA Confidentiality is adhered to. Keep conversations as private as
possible.
5. Those who have attended previously will have a card made-add to it. New people
need to have a card made.
6. Please include telephone number for follow-up, fill in name, TN, Date, BP reading,
P, medications or comments such as if they are on new meds, etc on card, your
initials and RN/LPN.
7. Take BP in L arm. If elevated wait 3-5 minutes and recheck. Have people who are
waiting sit so they are relaxed when it is their turn and remind people to have feet
flat, relax, remain still, and not to talk during the measurement for accuracy.
8. Give each person small BP record card from box and write down their reading or
record on card they bring. Remind them to bring recording card to each BP
Screening (or give a new one).
9. Keep record of how many BP's taken on index card in front of blue box with cards
in (for statistics, reports, and grants.)
10. Brochures About Your High Blood Pressure for those with diagnosed high blood
pressure & High Blood Pressure, for those having random checking, and Home
Monitoring of BP, and order blank for DASH Diet can be handed out.
(Obtained from the American Heart Association).
11. After 10:00 am mass, please take down sign and return all equipment in bag back to
sacristy closet.
12. PUT LARGE BP CUFF, REGULAR BP CUFF AND STETHOSCOPE IN
CLEAR PLASTIC BAGGIE IN CLOSET WHERE IT CAN BE EASILY
SEEN BY USHERS FOR USE IN AN EMERGENCY.
13. BP Screening Coordinator will check records and make telephone calls if people
were referred to a doctor for further screening to see if followed through.
Rev. 11/17/2009
Blood Pressure Screening Procedure for Sacred Heart Parish Nurse BP Clinics
Client suggestions before the check:
 Avoid coffee or cigarettes for 30 minutes before.
 Go to the bathroom; a full bladder can change your reading.
 Sit for five minutes with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground.
 Wear short sleeves.
14. We have 2 regular manual cuffs with stethoscopes and 1 large size cuff.
 Cuff size: Standard cuff fits arm 9-13 inches, large cuff fits arm 13-17 inches.
Bladder should fit around 80% of upper arm, cuff around 40% of arm.
Guidelines when BP is elevated:
According to the Heart Association, normal BP is below 120/80. If above,
encourage person to get BP checked monthly. If diastolic is 100 or over, refer them and
tell them to notify their doctor for further direction. The Parish Nurse’s will review all
cards and follow-up with those with elevated BP. Notify Mary Zyvoloski below if
necessary.
Training for Screening Clinics
All volunteers will be given training in the procedures of the blood pressure screening
clinics.
Record will be kept of training and an update as needed by Parish Nurses.
Volunteers will be given written procedure materials and review equipment use.
Parish Nurse will provide initial training and to answer questions.
CONTACT Blood Pressure Screening Coordinator Nurse
_________________ to report elevated BP’s and for any
questions, equipment concerns: phone number here.
_________________sets the schedule for volunteers.
Rev. 11/17/2009
Blood Pressure Screening Procedure for Sacred Heart Parish Nurse BP Clinics