How to measure blood pressure in Reception
Advise the patient to:
- relax for a few minutes after they arrive before taking the reading
- take three readings
Recording blood pressure reading in notes
Once the patient hands in the three readings, Receptionists should enter the lowest one into the patient’s consultation notes.
- Go to: Consultations → Add → Comment → [enter code]
- Enter code 246 and double click ‘O/E - blood pressure reading’
- Enter the lowest blood pressure reading for the patient
- Add another comment → ’Self measured blood pressure reading’
- Save the consultation
When to notify a clinician
Ensure that three readings have been taken and you are using the lowest one before deciding that the patient requires clinical attention. Alert a clinician based on one or both numbers (systolic or diastolic) being raised.
The table below pertains to patients who are physically in the GP surgery. If a patient is calling to say that their blood pressure is high (systolic >180, or diastolic >120, regardless of symptoms) → direct them to phone 999 immediately.
Top number (Systolic) | Bottom Number (Diastolic) | Patient symptoms? | What to do |
>180 | >120 | Regardless of symptoms | Immediately raise with Paramedic or Duty doctor |
140 - 179 | 90 - 119 | If patient known to have hypertension | Book appointment with Pharmacist for BP review |
140 - 179 | 90 - 119 | If patient not known to have hypertension | Book appointment with HCA for 24hr BP monitoring |
90 - 139 | 60 - 89 | None, or unrelated to blood pressure | Normal, just enter into patient notes |
<90 | <60 | If symptomatic | Immediately raise with Paramedic or Duty doctor |
<90 | <60 | If not symptomatic | Book appointment with Pharmacist for BP/ Med review |
Many people can have low blood pressure which is essentially normal for them, provided they are asymptomatic.
However, if a patient presents with low blood pressure and any of the symptoms below, then they need to see a GP or Paramedic.