Cardiology Teaching Package
A Beginners Guide to Normal Heart Function, Sinus Rhythm & Common Cardiac Arrhythmias
Electrical Interference
Another disturbance or annoyance in terms of rhythm detection, emanating directly from the surrounding environment , is electrical interference.
The ECG machine is designed to pick up electrical activity within the heart but it will pick up electrical activity from nearby machinery, such as:
- Pumps
- TV
- Drills
- Machinery
Image: Electrical Interference
So, what are you going to do if you get either of the problems above?
You need to repeat the ECG but do as much as you can to correct any modifiable problems, eg
- Comfort of the patient
- Turn machines off
- Drugs to control symptoms
- Warm the patient
- Talk to the workmen
Then repeat the ECG!
If you repeat the ECG and it is the best you can do then make sure you write this on top of the ECG so you don't get an earful from the cardiologist on the ward round.
