INTRODUCTION

Blood pressure is a valuable indicator of cardiovascular health, and it is one of the key vital signs which are regularly monitored by nurses and other medical staffs. A blood pressure cuff is a medical device which is used to apply pressure to the arteries in the arm for the purpose of measuring blood pressure. Medical devices such as sphygmomanometers, thermometers, and stethoscopes have been implicated in the spread of (Hospital Acquired Infections) HAIs through indirect contact transmission (David Schwegman, M.D.)

Nosocomial infections are infections acquired in a hospital or other health care facilities. Nosocomial infections "are among the leading causes of death and increased morbidity among hospitalized patients." These infections occur globally, in both developed and third world countries. Nosocomial infections increase patient stress and functional disability, and may lead to disabling conditions. (World Health Organization, 2002).

In the Philippine setting, the ratio of blood pressure cuffs to patients is 1:__. In this case the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms from one patient to another is largely possible in the hospital setting especially in public hospitals which may cause nosocomial infection. With this situation, the researchers would like to know the possibility of transfer of pathogenic microorganisms through BP cuffs as vehicles of nosocomial infection.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The study will determine the number of different pathogens found in the BP cuff and the diseases that can be acquired from it.

It aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the different pathogens found in the BP cuff after cultivation? 2. How many pathogens can be possibly found in the BP cuff after 24 hours? 3. How many pathogens can be possibly found in the BP cuff after 48 hours? 4. How many pathogens can be possibly found in the BP cuff after 72 hours? 5. Is there significant difference in the number of pathogens after 24 hours and 48 hours? 6. Is there significant difference in the number of pathogens after 24 hours and 72 hours? 7. Is there significant difference in the number of pathogens after 48 hours and 72 hours?

SIGNIFICANCE O F THE STUDY

Nursing Practice

The study of Blood pressure Apparatus as a source of infection can be a learning paradigm to all the Health Care Staffs to gain knowledge about step by step development of a disease and the chain of events leading to that disease caused by the microbial agent present in the Blood Pressure Apparatus that is used in the different areas in the hospital that will improved their practice. This is but a small contribution that will benefit the staff and the patients in the hospital to avoid having diseases that this microorganisms produce. The goal of the research study is to help the Medical Team to do interventions to prevent the complications and help patients to avoid the entry of these contaminants in their body. This goal can be achieve through the researchers that can teach the Medical Team the mode of transmission, the incubation Period and the type of microorganism present in the Blood Pressure Cuff present in the different areas.

Information presented at this research study can provide the advanced practice nurse and the experienced staff nurse with current information on evidence-based practice. By addressing clinical and research topics, our hope is to engage health care providers in a dialogue that will support best practices and improve patients health. This comes as a relief to many healthcare workers and patients alike, since the blood pressure cuff is one of the most frequently touched devices in healthcare. It has been cited as a potential source in causing nosocomial infections. Unfortunately, the sterility of the Blood Pressure Apparatus is often overlooked. This study will

show that healthcare workers need to be aware of this, especially in cases of low immunity patients, such as dialysis and chemotherapy.

Nursing Education

The study of Blood pressure Apparatus as a source of infection will provide nurses with up-to-date information on Blood Pressure Apparatus as a source of infection. After studying the information presented here, nurses can describe related and pathologic microorganism that may harbor the blood pressure cuff. This research study will also inform nurses about illnesses caused by pathogens that can be found on the Blood Pressure Apparatus, as well as the preventive measures that can lessen the risk of their transmission. The goal of this program is to inform nurses about the changes in Medicare reimbursements for hospital-acquired blood pressure cuff apparatus associated infections.

The Nursing Research

The Nursing research will have a new evidenced based nursing and may develop a comprehensive program to diagnose, treat, and prevent the spread of pathogens. Historically, bacteria have been the cause of some of the most deadly diseases and widespread epidemics of human civilization. Research and study are needed to control both old and new bacterial pathogens.

To The community

The community people will gain knowledge about the pathogens present in the Blood Pressure Apparatus in the different areas in the hospital. They can prevent having disease that these pathogens produce. Knowledge in such things prevents the complications and helps the community to prevent an incidence caused by these contaminants that enter in the body of their people. Historically, bacteria have been the cause of some of the most deadly diseases and widespread epidemics of human civilization.