ERRORS AND ARTIFACTS

INTRODUCTION AND SINGLE LEAD ERRORS

ERRORS & ARTIFACTS

5= BE CAUTIOUS OF THE CAPRICIOUS PATIENT

5= BE CAUTIOUS OF THE CAPRICIOUS PATIENT

Our patients depend on us for accurate interpretation of their EKGs. Computer-interpreted tracings contain errors that are, disappointingly, all too frequent. At times, they are only annoyances, but at others, provide a serious incorrect diagnosis in a healthy individual. What is worse, is when the computer interpretation ignores a life-threatening problem. Things are challenging enough without technician errors in recording the tracing. Similarly, patients themselves should not add body motion to confuse the issue. EKG Commandments for the interpreter are provided below..

We should add: “ASSIDUOUSLY AVOID SINGLE RHYTM STRIPS”

Old timers (like myself) will remember the days when only single-channel recording was available for both 12 lead EKGs and ICU monitoring. In these 2 patients, the top strip would result in an incorrect diagnosis – the truth revealed in the simultaneous bottom strips.

The top strip shows apparent blocked atrial impulses --but the reality , in other leads, is that there are obvious VPCs masquerading as P waves.