MANUTENÇÃO E CALIBRAÇÃO DE ESFIGMOMANÔMETROS: POSSÍVEIS IMPACTOS NA MEDIÇÃO DA PRESSÃO ARTERIAL
The aim of the study was to evaluate the calibration and the need for maintenance ofsphygmomanometers,in order to advise aboutpossible interferences overvalues found during measurements. It was carried out the calibration and external and functional analysis,of 299 sphygmomanometers from domestic use and the hospitalnetworkin the city of Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro. It was also evaluated in which extent maintenance is compensatory. It was observed that 64.4% of hospital equipment and 53.3% of the household remaineduncalibrated. In additionto that, up to 54.1% of hospital equipment and 19.0% of household needed the exchange of components, such as couplings, valves, clamps and pears. However, even the most expensivemaintenanceprocedure, in which occurredthe calibration and exchange of all components, its realization is still economically compensatory in relation to the purchase of the new equipment.It was concluded that,under these conditions,devices can significantly impact the determination of blood pressure and thus,the health of the population.