The current process of teaching blood pressure measurement has some uncertainty when attempting to ascertain the leaner level of comprehension. The standard teaching approach of paring up students to practice blood pressure measurement lacks the ability to assess several key competencies. Students are usually young and healthy so they are typically reporting measurements in the area of 120/80 leaving the instructor asking several questions: Is the student capable of hearing the faint korotkoff sounds? Is the stethoscope in the correct location with correct placement pressure? Is the student using the proper air release rate? And most importantly, is the student just guessing?
KbPort’s blood pressure simulator, BPSim™, is an excellent training tool that gives the learner a safe and efficient way of practicing, while also providing the instructor a way to properly assess the learners progress and to identify areas for improvement. A sensitive air release valve forces the learner to gain the necessary psychomotor skills required to generate a precise and appropriate air release rate. Likewise, KbPort’s patented sound reflection technology forces the student to place the stethoscope in a near perfect location with precise stethoscope placement pressure. If the stethoscope is not in the correct location, or applied too hard or too soft, the student will not be able to record an accurate reading.
A common method learners use to “game” the system it to use the visual indicators such as needle bump and movement to measure pressure. KbPort’s blood pressure simulator is fully programmable and allows the instructor to not only adjust the standard Korotkoff sound location, but can also move the location of the needle bump. In addition, a three level audio output gives the instructor the ability to change the level of difficulty thus ensuring that the student fully grasps the concept.
