How To Take Your First Reading
This guide assumes you have un-boxed all the devices in your Connected Health Kit, set up your Connected Health Station, successfully connected your tablet to the Internet, and are now ready to take your first reading. For help in setting up your Connected Health Station please click here.
1. Getting Started
Start with the tablet on the Main Menu Screen.
2. Select Type Of Bluetooth Reading
Decide which type of reading you would like to begin with:
- To take your weight, step on the scale
- To take a pulse oxygen reading, place the oximeter on any finger and push the power button
- To take a temperature reading, push the power button on the thermometer and follow the on-screen instructions
2.1. In this example we will show you how to take a reading using an oximeter:
Click here to see instructions for using the Canadian Contec oximeter.
Begin by pressing the power button on your oximeter.
Squeeze the device to open then insert a finger. Tap 'Next'.
Follow the on-screen directions. Tap 'Next'.
Your reading will be shown in real-time on-screen. Tapping the 'Stop' button will instantly stop the device from continuing a reading.
After the reading is complete, you will be prompted to send the reading to the server. Click 'Send Reading'. If desired, tap anywhere in the 'Notes' field to add notes. If you do not wish to see the 'Add a Note' pop-up, tick the 'Do not show again' box.
Your results will be displayed on-screen.
3. Taking a Pulsewave Reading
Start by plugging the Pulsewave wrist cuff into the USB port on the right side of the tablet. Cuff placement instructions will pop up on the screen. Follow the instructions carefully.
4. Cuff Placement
Apply blood pressure cuff on your left wrist and tap 'Next'.
4.1. Rest Your Hand On a Flat Surface
Place your left arm flat on a table or desk. Make sure you are sitting up straight in a standard chair with your feet flat on the floor. Tap 'Next'.
5. Stop Button
Pressing the red 'Stop' button on your Pulsewave device will instantly stop the cuff from further inflation and release air from the cuff. Press this button should you have any discomfort during a reading.
6. Relax During the Reading Countdown
Sit calmly and breathe normally as the Pulsewave calibrates .
7. The Reading
The cuff will inflate after 15 seconds, and slowly deflate over about 60 seconds. Make sure you are breathing deeply and normally. Refrain from speaking or moving during the reading. If you wish to cancel the reading, press the 'Stop' button on screen or on your Pulsewave device.
Your heartbeat will be displayed on the screen. This image is called a sphygmogram - it’s the mechanical output of your heart. A sphygmogram is not an ECG, the electrical activity of your heart, but they are related.
8. Send Reading
After the reading is complete, you will be prompted to send the reading to the server. Click 'Send Reading'. If desired, tap anywhere in the 'Notes' field to add notes. If you do not wish to see the 'Add a Note' pop-up, tick the 'Do not show again' box.
9. Reading Results Displayed On-screen
Confidence Intervals: These are the small +/- numbers beside the main blood pressure numbers. The Confidence Intervals show how precise your blood pressure reading was.
- Low Confidence Intervals (under +/- 7 mmHg) show good precision
- High Confidence Intervals (above +/- 10 mmHg) show poor precision. (This may be due to the cuff on your wrist being too loose, or to movement or talking during the reading).
- If you see a Confidence Interval of greater than +/- 9-10 mmHg, tighten the cuff on your wrist and take another reading
- Be sure to sit very still and do not talk during the reading.
