UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ref. No.
SOP/PD/210_01

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

PIC INDOLOR ANEROID
SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Valid for:
2 years from
approval

Table of Contents
Page
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Scope
Objective
Definitions
Responsibility
Procedure
Precautions
References
Appendices
Revision History

2
2
2
2
3
7
7
7
8

Original
Authorised Copy
for:
Reading Copy

Written by:

Signature/Date:

Reviewed by:

Signature/Date:

Approved by:

Signature/Date:

Page 1 of 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ref. No.
SOP/PD/210_01

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

PIC INDOLOR ANEROID
SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Valid for:
2 years from
approval

1. Scope
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) applies to the staff and students
using the PiC Indolor Aneroid Sphygmomanometer in the Pharmacy Practice
Resource Unit (PPRU) at the Pharmacy Department, University of Malta.
2. Objective
To describe the procedure for the operation and maintenance of the PiC
Indolor Aneroid Sphygmomanometer.
3. Definitions
3.1.

Aneroid Sphygmomanometer: A device used to measure blood

pressure. It consists of an inflatable cuff, a hand pump with a deflator
valve and a dial gauge to display the obtained blood pressure readings.

3.2.

Diastolic Blood Pressure: The minimum pressure in the arteries when

the heart is at rest.

3.3.

Systolic Blood Pressure: The maximum pressure being exerted when

the heart is contracting.

4. Responsibility
4.1.

The members of the Department of Pharmacy (staff and students) are

responsible for following this SOP.

4.2.

The designated Laboratory Officer or Laboratory Assistant is

responsible for ensuring that this SOP is followed.

Page 2 of 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ref. No.
SOP/PD/210_01

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

PIC INDOLOR ANEROID
SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Valid for:
2 years from
approval

5. Procedure
5.1.

Diagram of PiC Indolor Aneroid Sphygmomanometer

5.2.

Operation
Bare the patients upper left/right arm.
Wrap the cuff [1] around the upper left/right arm.
Check that the bottom of the cuff is 1-2cm above the inside of
the elbow.
5.2.4. Slip the end of the cuff into the metal ring [2].
5.2.5. Secure the cuff onto the Velcro fastener and check that two
fingers can still be inserted between the arm and the cuff.
5.2.6. Adjust the cuff to position the cuff marking [3] over the artery.
5.2.7. Instruct the patient to lay his or her arm on a table with palm
turned upwards and to keep still during the measurement.
5.2.8. Place the stethoscope chest piece below the cuff so that the
membrane of the chest piece is resting against the inside of the
bicep, where the artery is located.
5.2.9. Rotate the deflator valve [4] on the hand bulb [5] anticlockwise
to check that it is closed.
5.2.10. Squeeze the hand bulb until the cuff pressure is 20-30 mmHg
higher than the maximum expected blood pressure.
5.2.11. Gently rotate the release valve clockwise to slowly start to
release the air from the cuff. The cuff will deflate at a rate of 23 mmHg/second.
5.2.12. Wait until the first heart beat is heard.
5.2.1.
5.2.2.
5.2.3.

Page 3 of 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ref. No.
SOP/PD/210_01

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

PIC INDOLOR ANEROID
SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Valid for:
2 years from
approval

5.2.13. Record the manometer [6] reading as soon as this first heart
beat is heard. This corresponds to the systolic pressure.
5.2.14. Gradually keep opening the release valve until the last heart
beat is heard.
5.2.15. Record the manometer reading when this last heart beat is
heard. This corresponds to the diastolic blood pressure.
5.2.16. Deflate all the air from the cuff.
5.3.

Maintenance
5.3.1.
5.3.2.

Use a soft clean cloth to wipe the manometer.

Use a moist cloth to gently rub the the outer surface of the cuff.

Page 4 of 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ref. No.
SOP/PD/210_01

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

PIC INDOLOR ANEROID
SPHYGMOMANOMETER

5.4.

Flow Charts
5.4.1.

Operation
Start

Bare patients upper left/right arm

Wrap cuff [1] around left/right forearm

Check that bottom of cuff is 1-2cm

above the inside of the elbow

Slip end of cuff into metal ring [2]

Secure cuff onto Velcro fastener

and check that 2 fingers can still be
inserted between arm and cuff

Adjust cuff in such a way as to position

cuff marking [3] over the artery

Instruct patient to lay his or her arm on

table with palm turned upwards and to
keep still during measurement

Place stethoscope chest piece below cuff

so that membrane of chest piece is
resting against the inside of bicep

Rotate deflator valve [4] on hand bulb [5]

anticlockwise to check that it is closed

Squeeze hand bulb until cuff pressure is

20-30 mmHg higher than the maximum
expected blood pressure

Page 5 of 8

Valid for:
2 years from
approval

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ref. No.
SOP/PD/210_01

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

PIC INDOLOR ANEROID
SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Gently rotate release valve clockwise to

slowly start to release air from cuff.
Cuff will deflate at rate of 2-3mmHg/sec

Wait until the first heart beat is heard

Record manometer [6] reading

as soon as this first heart beat is heard.
This corresponds to the systolic pressure

Gradually keep opening release

valve until last heart beat is heard

Record manometer reading when

this last heart beat is heard. This
corresponds to the diastolic pressure

Deflate all air from cuff

End

5.4.2.

Maintenance

Start

Use a soft clean cloth to wipe manometer

Use a moist cloth to gently rub

outer surface of cuff

End

Page 6 of 8

Valid for:
2 years from
approval

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ref. No.
SOP/PD/210_01

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

PIC INDOLOR ANEROID
SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Valid for:
2 years from
approval

6. Precautions
6.1.

Medical Device
6.1.1.
6.1.2.
6.1.3.
6.1.4.
6.1.5.
6.1.6.

6.2.

Do not inflate the sphygmomanometer above 300 mmHg since

this could affect the calibration of the device.
Avoid damaging the rubber parts with sharp, cutting objects.
Do not expose the sphygmomanometer to extremes of
temperature.
Do not use chemicals or other detergents for cleaning purposes.
Do not scrub, machine wash or dry clean the cuff.
Ensure that its calibration is verified every 2 years by the
supplier.

Accurate Measurement
6.2.1.
6.2.2.
6.2.3.
6.2.4.
6.2.5.
6.2.6.

Ensure that the patient is relaxed, still and is not speaking when
measurement is being taken.
Wait for 5 minutes until the pulse rate returns to normal, if the
patient had been active, before taking measurement.
Ensure that the patient is sitting down and that the cuff is
positioned at heart level when taking measurement.
Ensure that the measurements are performed on a bare arm, as
circulation could be restricted.
Ensure that the cuff is no too tight or too loose fitting as
inacurrate readings may result.
Wait 3-4 minutes between successive measurements.

7. References
PiC Indolor. Deluxe handheld aneroid sphygmomanometer. Grandate: Artsana
S.p.A.
8. Appendices
N/A

Page 7 of 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ref. No.
SOP/PD/210_01

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

PIC INDOLOR ANEROID
SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Valid for:
2 years from
approval

9. Revision History
Version Number
01

Amendments/ Reasons for change

Initial Release

Page 8 of 8