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The accuracy of the estimation of body weight and height in the intensive care unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2006

T. S. Leary ,
Q. J. W. Milner  and
D. J. Niblett
T. S. Leary
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford MK43 8BH, UK
Q. J. W. Milner
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford MK43 8BH, UK
D. J. Niblett
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford MK43 8BH, UK
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Abstract

A telephone survey of 20 English intensive care units (ICUs) confirmed that visual estimation of patient weight is often performed. Four experienced intensive care staff (three doctors and one nurse) estimated the weight and measured the height of 30 volunteers and the estimates were compared with accurate reference measurements. The estimates were shown to be significantly inaccurate for individual observers. We consider the degree of inaccuracy to be of clinical importance. However, pooling the individual estimates of weight as mean values improved accuracy. Recommendations are made concerning the performance of height and weight determination.

Keywords

measurementbody heightbody weight
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 17 , Issue 11 , November 2000 , pp. 698 - 703
Copyright
2000 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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