 Karen, the CNP, was compassionate and professional. She provided the antibiotic prescription I needed for my Strep infection.	   Kelly, the health aide, was professional, gave me understandable instructions and put me at ease. EXCEPT FOR THIS: She started to take my blood pressure over my sweater, while I was sitting on the exam table, arm well below my heart, sitting without back support, feet dangling.   She was shocked when I told her this was no way to take an accurate blood pressure. I hopped off the table and sat in her desk chair using the following recommendations from the CDC:  * Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading. * Put both feet flat on the ground and keep your legs uncrossed. * Rest your arm with the cuff on a table at chest height. * Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/measure.htm#What%20Is%20The%20Correct%20Way%20to%20Measure%20Blood%20Pressure?  Kelly and probably ALL your aides need to be properly trained! The first BP she recorded had a systolic of 98. The second, performed correctly, was 118.  Christine Palumbo, RDN, FAND 630-248-0200
ACNB