NVQ evidence

Cardiac monitoring

Single Channel ECG

Automatic ECG

Manual ECG

Major uses

This involves attaching three electrodes on the right and left shoulders and on the left side of the left abdomen. The electrodes are then attached to a monitor so that there is moment by moment view of cardiac activity. This information is usually not printed out, and is only done so for special purposes.

This is when the outputs of a three lead ECG are printed out. One of the major uses of this is in Cardio-pulmonary recussitation as a hard copy of cardiac output can be made.

Also, a hard copy of cardiac output is sometimes required when a doctor undertakes carotid massage to reduce tachycardia or atrial fibrillation.

An automatic ECG is what is the standardised method of recording an ECG. It uses 10 electrodes which give 12 leads which indicates what is happening within the heart from 12 different aspects.

This is an continual print out of a 12 lead ECG using a standard ECG machine. It can be set to record leads 1, 2, or 3 or all 12 leads simultaneously.

If there is an abnormality that happens in real time, then its effect can be seen in all leads. As it happens

Benefits

Shows what is going on in the heart in real time.

In emergency situations, it can show what is happening on a small scale.

Provides a benchmark, stardardised method of something that can be compared with future tracings. It can give a vast quantity of information

Give a lot of imformation in a moment by moment basis of the heart

Limitations

Does not show the whole picture.

If no printer is attached, important changes may be missed

Does not show the whole picture.

Masses of information may be produced which may not be relevant

Only shows a short snap shot of what is going on. If an ectopic or abnormal beat occurs, then only some of the leads may be recording at that time so its effect will not be fully seen.

Patients have to lie very still so compliance can be a problem

As for single channel ECGs except there is more information which can be benifitial or overwhelming. The client need to stay really still for longer periods which can give extra problems with compliance.