Obsession with measuring BP at hospitals

[SnareBear]

What's up with this obsession with measuring blood pressure and weight at the hospitals here?

Every time you go to the hospital you are forced to do it no matter how trivial your visit is.

I recently removed two liver spots from my face. I had to come back every other day for the doctor to check my progress. Every time Im forced to measure BP. It doesnt matter if I complain and say "you think my weight and BP has changed from two days ago?"

Also, it seems like the BP can vary considerably during the day, or the equipment is faulty. I got in the range of 130/90 to 145/80. Ok, it is in the high range, but how is that a good indication of my cardio-vascular health?

Maybe the hospital is just trying to cover their ass. In case I die in the hospital, they can always say they checked my BP and everything was fine.

They also calculate BMI, which is a pretty useless measure of fitness.

[eyecatcher]

Its another procedure they can charge you for if they wish.

Sent from my GT-I8160 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[fcgprg]

Most of the time it is not taken correctly anyway. Either the arm band is put on to tight or loose .They do not understand when you show them the correct fitting.

That is in most cases but not all that I have experienced here.

[mesquite]

One nurse wanted to check my weight one hour after another one already had. I told her, "I don't think it's changed."

Edited July 25, 2013 by mesquite

[noise]

I simply tell them I do not want to want to measure either my blood pressure or my weight and they do not.

[hml367]

I simply tell them I do not want to want to measure either my blood pressure or my weight and they do not.

That's too easy, Noise!

[canman]

They can then chargwe you for a "health check". Simply decline to do it

[elektrified]

There is no charge for the BP check and checking the weight. It is included in the office visit. I'm not sure where some of you come from but it is SOP in the USA too.

I'm assuming the OP went to Dr. Siri at his Sriphat clinic. For some reason he likes to have the BP and weight checked twice in 30 minutes. Never could understand that.

Yes the BP will be different each time.

[mrtoad]

It's classed as a nursing charge.

[Loaded]

Anyone complaining about charging should first visit a doctor or hospital in the USA. Costs are incredibly cheap here considering the massive operating costs of a well-equipped hospital.

It's a BP check from usually a young and attractive nurse or auxiliary who more often than not smiles at you as she leans across and wraps the band around your arm. If this wasn't included in my visits, I would complain.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Loaded

[asiaface]

Not sure where you are from but you are probably used to the doctor back home doing nothing but say, what is wrong an then writing a script for medicine.

You should be thankfull that they actually take care here. Blood pressure and temperature are the easiest ways to get a first glance that anything is wrong.

If this is all you have to complain about you are very lucky.

Edited July 25, 2013 by asiaface

[Payboy]

I've absolutely no objection to the nurses touchy-feely while I'm at the hospital. I wish they'd give me sponge bath every time as well.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Payboy

[asiamaster]

It's classed as a nursing charge.

for which the private hospitals charge around 350 Baht...

[jonwilly]

I have high B.P.

Now using Dr. Morgan her machine had a 'Arm Band' which was too tight.

She told me this would result in a high reading which she allowed for, Dr Tavachai had told me same many years ago but he also has one with a large Arm band, which is difficult to obtain.

I bought an Omron 'Wrist' monitor and have used that for last 6 months.

The 'Tech' at the Parmacy explained that my upper arm size was 46 cms and most 'Arm Bands' only go up too 42 cms.

A tight arm band gives a higher then correct reading a loose band giving a low reading.

BP vaires over course of a day and will be high after any strenuous activity so your advised to check same time each day when not under stress.

john

[hansnl]

Its another procedure they can charge you for if they wish.

Sent from my GT-I8160 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

They can charge you if you go to a private hospital

In state hospitals checking BP, weight, temperature and even height, is included in the charge for the doctor's consult.

It is a part of the consult....simple.

And the results can be very useful for the doctor

Edited July 25, 2013 by hansnl

[Suradit69]

One nurse wanted to check my weight one hour after another one already had. I told her, "I don't think it's changed."

At BPH they also usually check my height. Once when they tried that the third time in two weeks, I just walked away commenting it was probably the same as two days ago ... and got a nasty look from the nurse.

They don't charge for checking BP & weight and, if it were accurate, the BP check could be useful. I doubt the nurse checking you in before seeing the doctor knows how often or how recently those things were checked.

The accuracy is the major issue I have with the whole thing. When I see the cardiologist my BP is checked by a nurse using a machine before seeing him and then he checks it the old fashion way with the stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. His results are always close to what I get when checking at home and always considerably different from what the nurse-operated machine comes up with.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Suradit69

[overherebc]

There is no charge for the BP check and checking the weight. It is included in the office visit. I'm not sure where some of you come from but it is SOP in the USA too.

I'm assuming the OP went to Dr. Siri at his Sriphat clinic. For some reason he likes to have the BP and weight checked twice in 30 minutes. Never could understand that.

Yes the BP will be different each time.

Most times before you get to the hospital you may have been driving or perhaps climbed stairs etc before the first check.

By 30 minutes later you will probably be more relaxed and will show an improved set of figures.

[Satcommlee]

It's a revenue earner, always appears as 150 baht nursing charge..

I went to get a simple drivers licence medical letter and they still wanted to do it, when I declined they were fine about it.

[Xonax]

Better check too often than never. If the nurses check every time, they won´t forget .

Does any of you know, how many millions just in Thailand, who have undetected high blood-pressure, that could and should be treated ?

Edited July 25, 2013 by Xonax

[elektrified]

One nurse wanted to check my weight one hour after another one already had. I told her, "I don't think it's changed."

At BPH they also usually check my height. Once when they tried that the third time in two weeks, I just walked away commenting it was probably the same as two days ago ... and got a nasty look from the nurse.

They don't charge for checking BP & weight and, if it were accurate, the BP check could be useful. I doubt the nurse checking you in before seeing the doctor knows how often or how recently those things were checked.

The accuracy is the major issue I have with the whole thing. When I see the cardiologist my BP is checked by a nurse using a machine before seeing him and then he checks it the old fashion way with the stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. His results are always close to what I get when checking at home and always considerably different from what the nurse-operated machine comes up with.

Actually I am very surprised that all of the equipment in Thai hospitals (from the digital thermometers, IV machines, all the way up to surgical equipment) is calibrated on a regular basis. Every machine has a little sticker on it with the date and name of company/technician who calibrated it. I have a good friend who is a senior nurse here in C.M. (senior in rank but in her 30's ) and for a while she was the one who scheduled the appointments with all the companies to come and calibrate. She said those service companies are a huge business in Thailand that employ many, many thousands of people throughout the Kingdom.

All M.D.'s use the stethoscope and sphygmomanometer method of checking blood pressure. I think this is true in every country of the world. It is the most accurate. The digital device is used by the nursing/admitting staff only.

Edited July 25, 2013 by elektrified

[falang07]

take it as a way for them to search for possible problems with your health and a possible additional income for them

[falang07]

 

The 'Tech' at the Parmacy explained that my upper arm size was 46 cms and most 'Arm Bands' only go up too 42 cms.

 

Man, you must be seriously working out

[yimlitnoy]

There are always the possibility that on this first check, the reading is 220/190, they can then proceed to save your life or al least warn you about reserving Sala 4 at wat Hualumphong.

[maddermax]

If you check your invoice after the visit you will see that they have charged Baht 150 for taking blood pressure and weight, etc.

I once went back to BHP to get a receipt checked and was sitting in reception when the nurse came up and insisted that she checked my BP and weight. She was halfway through the process before I got it across to her that I was not there for any medical condition!

Just confirms the belief that BHP is just a money making machine.

[harrry]

There is a very good reason for the blood pressure reading by the nurse to be higher...have you ever seen an ugly one?

For the very pretty ones you can string the procedure out for a long while....just keep making the arm band come loose.

[hellodolly]

First off I would like to offer my condolences to the OP. It must be a terrifying experience to go through every time you go to the hospital.

Secondly what cost. I stop by a local hospital every so often when I am walking by it and check my Blood Pressure and weight. They have a machine to put your arm in I sit for about ten minutes go over put my arm in it get a little piece of paper with my BP and heart rate on it. They have some scales I stand on them and they tell me what my weight is. And I leave Total cost free.

Back in the part of Canada and the States I come from every Safeway and just about every pharmacy has a machine where you can check it for free. Sit ten minutes then check it. With out moving check it again it is generally different. Some of them even have a chart showing you the difference depending on the time of day. It is just a rough guide as to what time it will be higher and lower

Your BP can be a guide to possible trouble. Why go to a doctor if you don't trust there procedure? I try to watch my weight and scales are a guide. But I choose to use the scales at my doctors as my official weight I have heard of strange phobia's but this is one that is really strange. Going to a hospital and getting bent out of shape because they check your blood pressure and weight. Of course there is the chance you might be embarrassed about your weight. That being the case It is probably obvious to every one you are overweight or drastically under weight.

[Gonzo the Face]

OP , I would think that you of all people should have your BP taken often..... If you get this upset over them trying their best to look out for YOUR health, I am sure your BP is constantly up.

Get over it. Would you rather they don't take good care of you so your blood pressure will go way up when you find out something is wrong with you. I am one here that uses Lanna Hospital on a very regular basis, and I cannot say enough good about the service I receive. My suggestion is for you to be thankful for the care you get here. There are many places on this planet where care like here is not available. Period. It takes but a couple minutes out of your life and it is for your good. If it bothers you that much, don't go to the Dr or Hosp.

On the whole or looking at the big picture, the problems of the world, people dying, people having there homes and/or their lives destroyed, and you have a major complaint that someone takes your blood pressure too often. Chill out and spend more time posting on TV, then you will be justified having high BP....

Whatever they charge you here, may be just a small fraction of what you might pay in a western country.

Offered not critically, just for what its worth.

[appleman]

ThaiVisa is infamous for its complainers. But this one takes the cake. Then he complains about the cost of taking his blood pressure (which is free). What an uneventful life this person must have.

[Eneukman]

High blood pressure has no symptoms so you could have blood pressure that is dangerously high and not be aware of it. I was only diagnosed because I ASKED the doctor (in Scotland) to check it. It was 200 / 150! Now, with medication and a change of life style (retired and living here) it averages at 115 / 74.

I have a wrist monitor and the readings from it are usually close to that obtained at the Bangkok Pattaya hospital even allowing for the fact that I have walked to the hospital from the bus station.

Alan

[Dr Robert]

BP is the simplest and best predictor of cvd and premature death in a health professionals toolkit

it is not so much the number that matters ( although of course it is important) so much as the pattern over time. ask the health care professional to do both arms, not just one. BMi is also a good predictor of your future health. keep in mind that hospitals do research and every bit of information collected from people like you can also help predict patterns in the larger population and help with treatment and drug therapies.

think of it as a community service which benefits you too.