Continuous ECG monitoring in hospitalized patients requires expert knowledge and sound clinical judgement to ensure safe use and avoid adverse outcomes.
What are the indications for continuous ECG monitoring in hospitalized patients?
Continuous ECG monitoring is a routine but complex procedure requiring expert knowledge to safely monitor arrhythmias, ischemia, and QT intervals in hospitalized patients.
Continuous monitoring of the electrocardiogram (ECG) is a common intervention in people admitted to hospital, especially when the cause of admission has a cardiovascular origin. Although widely considered a simple, routine procedure, ECG monitoring requires expert knowledge and sound clinical judgement for it to be used safely. Incorrect use of monitoring equipment can result in sub-optimal care, and adverse patient outcomes, including death. Patient selection, correct setup of equipment, and careful alarm management are all important in ensuring that monitoring is conducted safely. In this first article in a two-part series, the indications for monitoring are discussed and evaluated. For most patients, this will be arrhythmia monitoring; however, some will have an additional requirement for ischaemia or QT interval monitoring. The practical aspects of ECG monitoring will be addressed in the second article of this short series.
Michael Sampson (Fri,) conducted a review in Hospitalized patients requiring ECG monitoring. Continuous ECG monitoring was evaluated. Continuous ECG monitoring in hospitalized patients requires expert knowledge and sound clinical judgement to ensure safe use and avoid adverse outcomes.