According to the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) Hypertension is one of the biggest risk factors for CVD (Cardio Vascular Disease) affecting 7 million people and represents a financial burden of approximately £9 billion a year to the NHS.
The NHS Long Term Plan commits the NHS to reducing morbidity and mortality due to CVD, tackling inequalities and a shift towards prevention strategies. It specifically states that community pharmacy, in collaboration with other providers, will provide opportunities for the public to check on their health through tests for high BP and other high-risk conditions.
The 2019-2024 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework agreed to pilot a model for detecting undiagnosed CVD in community pharmacies through NHS England and NHS improvement’s Pharmacy Integration Fund (NHSE&I). The majority of the pilot scheme started after March 29th when Covid restrictions were eased. The scheme covered 6 Primary Care Networks (PCN). 35 pharmacies participated in 4 geographies. The pilot sites included rural and urban areas, areas of high ethnicity and areas of mixed deprivation/affluence. The pilot scheme ended in September 2021.
As a result of the, success of the pilot scheme, from 1st October 2021 a new Hypertension case finding service can be offered by UK pharmacies.
Which monitor should a pharmacist purchase?
The Meditech ABPM-06 ABPM monitor meets and exceeds the list of considerations the PSNC suggests pharmacists consider when purchasing an ABPM on their website. The non-exhaustive list includes;
- Is maintenance and training included in the purchase price?
PMS Instruments includes remote support and training. We can also provide a standard operating procedure (SOP)
- Calibration versus replacement cost and the carbon footprint of both activities;
As a Meditech Official Service Partner we offer a fixed price service and calibration plan after the first two years
- Frequency/cost of cuff replacement and other consumables;
Meditech cuffs are latex free wipeable and hygienic. Meditech ABPM monitors can use re-chargeable batteries reducing running costs
- Complexity of use – time taken to use (and explain use, in the case of ABPM);
The easy-to-use Meditech ABPM-06 monitor has been designed with comfort in mind and based on feedback from thousands of customers worldwide
- For ABPM, the usability of any inclusive software to support set up for the patient and interpretation of readings. Additionally, software and hardware compatibility with existing pharmacy IT systems needs to be considered, e.g., can you plug the meter into a USB port on a PC in the pharmacy.
Meditech ABPM-06 has automatic textual analysis to the latest NICE guideline classifies into 1 of 3 hypertension classifications, as well as number of successful readings determines if recording has been successful. It automatically generates average readings for rapid standard assessment. Comes with a standard USB PC cable for genuine plug and play operation.
- ABPM must be validated by the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS)
Meditech ABPM-06 is listed on the BIHS website and is FDA and CE approved with an AA grade
The Meditech-06 from PMS Instruments has a whole list of features including free 2 Year Premier Support including remote training and technical support. The Meditech-06 is Supplied with
• Adult (25-32cm) cuff
• Large adult (32-42cm) cuff
• USB PC cable
• CardioVisions analysis software
• Carry pouch, shoulder strap, waist belt
• Quick start user instructions
• 3-year warranty on monitor
To discover even more reasons to purchase a Meditech ABPM-06 from PMS Instruments click HERE