The Wall Street Journal Health Blog is reporting on a study evaluating Omron‘s solar powered blood pressure monitoring device in remote parts of Uganda and Zambia. Apparently 15 minutes of training of local healthcare staff resulted in 94% accurate BP readings.
From WSJ Health Blog:
Some 85% of health-care professionals rated the solar device as good or very good, with 97% recommending its use. The device can run on batteries as well as solar power.
The study authors write that the device will allow non-physician health workers to “participate in the diagnosis and management of hypertension” and will hopefully help to better control blood pressure in low- and middle-income countries. Next up: a program to use the device to diagnose hypertension in pregnancy, which is a contributor to maternal mortality.
More from WSJ Health Blog…
Abstract in Hypertension: A New Solar-Powered Blood Pressure Measuring Device for Low-Resource Settings
More from Hypertension: Reduction of Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in the Third World. The Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement