Easy read and translate
QI snapshot: Patients taking their own BMI and BP readings
- QI Snapshots
What is a QI Snapshot?
Our QI Snapshots provide a quick bite-sized summary from teams we've assisted. Read below for a quick take on how BLMK iCaSH developed its own self-measure facility for BMI and BP readings.
Improvement Name: Patients to take their own BMI and BP readings
Date: January 2025
Deep Dive:
Patients for combined pill prescriptions require a blood pressure and body mass index measurement in the last 12 months. This currently means they have to be given an appointment with a Nurse or Health Care Assistant to come in and have those readings taken before medication can be issued.
Problem: Unnecessary Nurse/HCA time taken out for measuring blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI) that could be used on other patients.
Goal:
Reduce the need for a booked appointment to get a patient's BMI and BP reading.
Design:
Explore options to have a machine in the waiting room that would allow a patient to take their own BMI and BP readings.
Deliver:
Applied for a 1-month free trial of a self-taking machine and see what the impact is. - Audit the impact and then apply for funds to purchase a machine.
Results:
- We have completed the 1-month trial and recorded the amount of time saved in the clinic by patients taking their own readings. It was discovered in 1 month we saved enough nurse and HCA time to run an extra coil/implant procedure clinic which would improve our waiting list.
- Presented the results to the higher iCaSH team and applied for charitable funds to purchase one permanently.
- Charitable funds were approved to purchase 2 machines, one for the Milton Keynes clinic and one for the Bedford clinic.
Evolve
The new machines have arrived this week. We plan to continue to audit its use and gather data on saved time and patient satisfaction with the process. Also now consider other patient groups that the machine can be used for such as coil and implant fittings, HIV patients who need yearly BP readings etc.
You can find more information about the BLMK ICaSH and their QI snapshot below.
Download the full Snapshot here
If you'd like to dive into more examples of projects, head to our Case Studies page for inspiration.
Last reviewed:
1 March, 2025