Method and apparatus for determining a minimum wait time between blood pressure determinations

An automated non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor having a stat mode of operation wherein several cycles of blood pressure measurement are undertaken in rapid succession by inflating a cuff on an appendage of the patient in order to quickly provide a clinician with readings of blood pressure and pulse rate. The NIBP monitor adaptively determines a minimum wait time between stat mode blood pressure measurement cycles by recognizing that the minimum wait time is proportional to the area under the pressure-time curve of the previous inflation/deflation measurement cycle. The calculated area is divided by a clinical constant derived from sampled patient data to determine the minimum wait time. The minimum wait time between blood measurement cycles so determined allows for venous return of blood that has accumulated in a patient's extremity and minimizes the discomfort experienced by the patient while maximizing the amount of collected data.