Hints and tips for successful ECG recording in C.A.R.E. studies
Hints and tips for successful ECG recording in C.A.R.E. studies
- Please leave machines charging whenever they are not in use if at all possible. This happens automatically when the ECG machine is plugged in and no recording is in progress.
- When entering data into the machines, please take care to follow the instructions given, otherwise the ECG core lab will be involved in a significant amount of editing to adjust patient IDs in order that serial comparison on several ECGs from the same patient can be carried out annually.
- Please read each interpretation carefully before disconnecting a patient so that if there is a comment on possible wrong electrode connections, the matter can be corrected immediately. Similarly, if an ECG printout looks as if the quality is less than acceptable, please adjust the electrodes appropriately and record again without saving the faulty recording. Another example might be a printout stating "undetermined rhythm", or "ventricular extrasystoles" where none is obvious. In these cases, a further recording could be made in an attempt to minimise the editing in the core lab.
- Please transmit as frequently as possible as this is safer in the event of losing ECGs from memory, i.e. to lose a small number is better than a large number! Frequent transmission also eases the burden of reporting in the ECG core lab by providing an even workload.
- You may wish to print a directory of ECGs after each transmission to maintain a record of all recordings so that in the event of an ECG not being located, it is possible to trace the source of the problem. The most likely scenario is an ECG being recorded at the end of the day with the printout being obtained, the patient disconnected, and the ECG machine then being switched off without the ECG having been saved into memory.
- Please do not tell a study volunteer anything about the unconfirmed interpretation as it may be edited in the core centre.