Telemetry Technician’s provide advanced ECG monitoring while concentrating on observation of patient status through assessment of ECG strips and arrhythmia interpretation. Telemetry Technician’s recognizes problems through continuous EKG monitoring with accurate interpretation of cardiac rhythms and dysrhythmias and interval measurements; identifies probable causes, and seeks solutions to correct the problem according to established standards. Telemetry Technician’s also appropriately identifies, responds and communicates to direct patient care givers any potentially life-threatening rhythm changes and monitor alarms. Show
Daily Responsibilities Telemetry Technician’s oversee cardiac monitoring of all patients by maintaining operation of the central monitoring station and monitoring software systems. Telemetry technicians are tasked with preparing, maintaining, and interpreting telemetry waveform data. Telemetry Technician’s are responsible to independently observe and interpret cardiac rhythms and documenting them in patient’s medical records. Other responsibilities include coordinating availability of transmitters, lead cables and other monitoring supplies and applying electrocardiography leads. Interaction with patients Telemetry Technician’s interaction with patients include performing electrocardiograms in multi-settings including proper electrode placement on patients using proper techniques. Telemetry Technician’s performs various procedures as directed including obtaining clear, readable six second strips, implementing cardiac monitoring orders as requested by the nurse, and reviewing cardiac monitoring orders as requested by the nurse. Report Changes Telemetry Technician’s must communicate appropriately and clearly to charge nurse, co-workers and physicians. Telemetry Technicians are responsible to appropriately respond to all monitor alarms, report changes in rate/rhythm to nurse and/or physician for urgent and/or non-urgent intervention, and document changes in rhythm and rate. Update Patient Records Telemetry Technicians are responsible to document EKG waveforms in the patient records by recording measurements of heart rate, PR interval and QRs on rhythm strips, identifying rhythms such as NSR, SB, ST Asytole, SVT, A-Fib, A-Flutter, and VT, and Ensuring recorded rhythm strips are mounted and placed on patient’s chart after review by the nurse. Maintain Equipment Telemetry technician’s set-up and operates telemetry and electrocardiogram equipment for the unit and ensures monitor alarms are “on” when patient is on unit. In addition, telemetry technicians are responsible to clean cardiac monitoring equipment per infection control and bioengineering procedures. Telemetry Technicians must possess troubleshooting skills to recognize monitoring the problems, identify probable causes, and seek solutions to correct the problem.
IntroductionTelemetry is an observation tool that allows continuous ECG, RR, SpO2 monitoring while the patient remains active without the restriction of being attached to a bedside cardiac monitor. The patient group requiring telemetry are children diagnosed with a known/unknown arrhythmia, children at risk of an arrhythmia, or children anticipated to be at risk of sudden cardiac deterioration. Telemetry is not a
replacement for patient visualisation and assessment. AimTo guide safe and competent nursing and medical practice associated with the use of cardiac telemetry monitoring. Definition of terms
AssessmentPatients should be assessed daily for the appropriateness of cardiac telemetry. Acutely unwell patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias should be on strict bed rest and continuously monitored on the bedside monitor and close to emergency equipment. The AUM will be involved in all aspects of care, from patient assessment and daily reviews for appropriateness of telemetry. Patients aged 2 years and less are not recommended for telemetry. The size of the electrodes are generally too big for patients this age, and this can cause incorrect readings and problems with skin integrity. The algorithm is not strong enough to support infants and neonates (as directed by Philips). Indications for telemetry include, in consultation with cardiology team, but not limited to;
Management
Roles and ResponsibilitiesSpecific Monitoring Skills
Identify and intervene in specific paediatric arrhythmias;
Skin preparation
Electrode Placement
Maintenance
Patient care
Special Considerations
Links
ReferencesEricksen, A. (2011). Telemetry Travels. Healthcare Traveler, 18(10), pg 35-38 Estrada et al. (2000). Evaluation of Guidelines for the Use of Telemetry in the Non–Intensive-Care Setting. J med intern med. 15(1), pg 51-55 Dresslor .R, Dryer .M, Colletti .C, Mahoney .D, Doorey, A. (2014). Altering Overuse of Cardiac Telemetry in non-intensive care unit settings by hardwiring the use of American Heart Association Guidelines. JAMA intern med, 174(11), pg 1852-1854 Ivonye. C, Ohuabunwo. C, Henriques-Forsythe. M, Uma. J, Kamuguisha .L, Olejeme .K, Onwuanyi .A (2010). Evaluation of telemetry utilization, policy, and outcomes in an inner-city academic medical center. Journal of the national medical association, 102(7), pg 598- 605 Lee. J, Lamb. P, Rand. E, Ryan. C, Rubal. Optimising Telemetry Utilisation in an Academic Medical Center. B Original Research, 2008, 15(9), pg 435 – 439 No author (2008). Dysrhythmia Monitoring. American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 28(5), pg 90-91 Philips Healthcare (2020). IntelliVue MX40. YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpFvfzqsLRY Philips Medical Systems (2012). IntelliVue MX40 manual. http://incenter.medical.philips.com/doclib/enc/fetch/2000/4504/577242/577243/577247/582636/582882/MX40_B.0_Service_Guide.pdf%3Fnodeid%3D10668578%26ver Evidence TableView this guidelines evidence table here. Please remember to read the disclaimer. The development of this nursing guideline was coordinated by Annabelle Santos, CSN Nursing Education and Emily Mohd-Faizal, RN Koala, and approved by the Nursing Clinical Effectiveness Committee. Updated November 2021. Which of the following actions should an EKG technician?NHA EKG. Which of the following methods should an EKG technician used to calculate a patient's heart rate from the EKG tracing?Which of the following methods should an EKG technician use to calculate a patient's heart rate from the EKG tracing? Divide 300 by the number of large boxes between two R waves. An EKG technician is performing a standard 12-lead EKG for a patient who is experiencing accelerated junctional rhythm.
What does an ECG technician do quizlet?What does an EKG technician do? Operate noninvasive equipment which measures and records activity of the heart by tracing and printing the electrical impulses the heart transmits.
In which of the following locations should an EKG technician place the electrodes for lead V5?To place the electrode for lead V5 start in the intercostal space associated with lead V4 (5th intercostal space) and move to the left to an imaginary line associated with the front portion of the armpit going down toward the anterior hip. Hence, V5 is in the 5th intercostal space, anterior axillary line.
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