The Accuracy and Diagnostic Processing Using Electrocardiograms
Emilee Smith
*Some information in this presentation comes from outside sources.
Independent Study Mentorship
Fall 2016
o Student: Emilee Smith
o Mentor: Megan Stearns, RN
o Mentorship site: Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, the heart tower
o ISM teacher: Mrs. Kristi Click
o Topic: The diagnostic processing and accuracy of an electrocardiogram
What is Independent Study Mentorship?
o Independent study mentorship is a semester long course where students receive active
learning directly from a mentor to gain insight and knowledge of potential jobs.
Throughout the mentorships, students are requires to research a topic to create a mid- term
presentation
Project Title
o This semester, I have chosen to research the accuracy and diagnosis process using
electrocardiograms because the first step to diagnosing any heart problem is with the
reading of an electrocardiogram. Many people underestimate the use of electrocardiograms,
and also the electrocardiograms accuracy is also undermined. Equipment is depended upon
for many diagnosis in the medical field. The accuracy is rarely called into question as most
people defend it saying that its science, it has to be true.
o This power point will cover abnormalities of the heart that can be diagnosed by
electrocardiograms.
Clear Lake Regional Medical Center: Heart Tower
o The only heart specialization hospital south of Texas Medical Center, the heart tower at
Clear Lake Regional oversees many cardiovascular conditions. The hospitals receive
emergency patients and can, if needed, perform heart surgeries.
About my mentor
o In 2008, Megan attended College of the Mainland earing an associate degree in art in
general studies. She entered into the nursing program in 2012, graduating in 2014 with an
associates degree in nursing. Currently she is working towards her bachelors degree.
o Right out of school, she began working at St. Josephs, moving to UTMB six months after.
Taking some time off, Megan was employed by St. Davids North Austin Medical Center.
In July of 2016, she moved to Clear Lake and is employed at Clear Lake Regional.
o Megan mostly had worked in med- surg with a focus on orthopedics, some bariatrics. She
is now in the cardiovascular department.
About my mentor (Cont.)
Weebly Online Portfolio
Throughout the semester, I have compiled all of my assignments into a website. The
website is http://emileesmithism.weebly.com/
Key Points
o Definition of electrocardiogram
o Pictures obtained from mentorship of an electrocardiograph
o Describe the procedure of an electrocardiograph
o Explain the different types of abnormalities represented on an electrocardiogram
o Provide pictures as to what abnormalities look like on an electrocardiogram
o Explanation of product
o Concluding statement
o Special thanks to
o Bibliography
Definitions
Leads: Cable with connections within the electronics of the machine desgined for an
electrode placed at a particular point on the body.
Electrodes: A part of an electric conductor through which a current enters or leaves. The
uninsulated conductive part of a pacing lead.
Atrium: The upper chambers of the heart. The left side transmitting blood to the ventricles
from the pulmonary veins and the right side transmitting blood into the ventricles from the
Vena Cava.
Ventricle: The lower chambers of the heart. The right side pumps blood into the lungs and
the left side pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic arterial circulation.
Sinus Node (SA): Group of specialized cells located in the right atrium near the superior
vena cava. Considered the hearts natural pacemaker.
Atrioventricular Node (AV): Located on the posterior side of the right atrium near the
tricuspid valve. Receives signals from the SA node. Controlling the heart rate, the AV node
allows time for the atria to empty and close before stimulating the ventricles.
What is an Electrocardiogram?
o A tracing representation of the hearts electrical action derived by the amplification of the
minutely small electrical impulses normally generated by the heart
o There are many reasons someone might be requested to get an electrocardiogram by a
doctors, some symptoms and not limiting to; chest pain, breathing problems, tiredness and
weakness, uneven heart sounds, and any pounding feelings.
How is an electrocardiogram taken?
o An electrocardiogram also is called an EKG or ECG. Sometimes the test is called a
12-lead EKG or 12-lead ECG. This is because the heart's electrical activity most often is
recorded from 12 different places on the body at the same time. (NHLBI contributors page
1)
o To begin an electrocardiogram, a nurse will attach sensors in the form of sticky pads, also
known as electrodes. The electrode patches have the same size similar to a quarter.
o The duration of the test is estimated to be around 10 minutes.
What is the procedure for taking an EKG?
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxGdbaC8H68
Which cardiac arrhythmias can an electrocardiogram diagnose?
o Hypertrophy
o Left and Right Ventricular
o Atrial
o Bundle Branch Blocks
o Ischemia
o V-Fib
o Tachycardia
o A-Fib
o AV block
o Atrial Enlargement
PQRST Complex
What do cardiac arrhythmias look like on an electrocardiogram?
Cardiac Arrhythmias on electrocardiograms
Cardiac Arrhythmias on electrocardiograms
Cardiac Arrhythmias on electrocardiograms
How accurate is an electrocardiogram?
o Study conducted to research how often or easy it is for a healthcare worker to misinterpret
an electrocardiogram
o The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 8.4%. Interpretative software was the most
o
o
accurate method of reading electrocardiograms but did not give a rhythm diagnosis in 109
(4.3%) and missed 26 (12%) cases of atrial fibrillation
The statistics are showing that the computer system is the most accurate when reading an
electrocardiogram. However it is stating that the computer system is not always 100%
accurate with the readings.
Twenty per cent of cases of atrial fibrillation were missed, and the probability that a
positive diagnosis was correct was only 41%.
Questions
At this time, I would like to answer any questions from the audience.
Conclusion
o Electrocardiograms are beneficial in determining if any abnormalities are present in the
heart. However, they can be challenging to read and give a proper diagnosis. Thus,
requiring a second opinion or another test.
o This topic is interesting as it facilitated my understanding to cardiology and allowed me to
question the accuracy of modern- day medical machines.
Special Thanks To
o I would like to give special thanks to everyone who encouraged me throughout the
semester specifically my mentor Megan Stearns, RN and my teacher Kristi Click, RN. With
the combination of encouragement and instructions, theyve cultivated and inspired me to
achieve my aspirations. I would also like to give a huge thanks to my parents, whom have
kept me on track, challenged, and motivated me throughout my educational years.
Bibliography
o Al Ghatrif, Majd, MD, and Joseph Lindsay, MD. "A Brief Review: History to Understand
Fundamentals of Electrocardiography." Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine
Perspectives. Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives, 30 Apr.
2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2016. <http://www.jchimp.net/index.php/jchimp/article/view/14383>.
o "Clear Lake Heart and Vascular Hospital." Clear Lake Heart, No.1 in Heart Care in
Houston -. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016. <http://clearlakeheart.com/>.
o "Electrocardiogram | Definition of Electrocardiogram by Medical Dictionary."The Free
Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016.
<http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/electrocardiogram>.
o Feldman, Henry, and Mariano Rey, MD. "A Simple Guide to Reading and Understanding
Practice Research." Improving the Effectiveness of the Helping Professions: An
Evidence-Based Approach to Practice (n.d.): 19-38. Columbia University. Columbia, 19
Apr. 1999. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
o Hobbs, Richard, Ellen T. Murray, and Roger Holder. "Accuracy of Diagnosing Atrial
Fibrillation on Electrocardiogram by Primary Care Practitioners and Interpretative
Diagnostic Software: Analysis of Data from Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly
(SAFE) Trial." British Medical Journal. British Medical Journal, 23 Aug. 2007. Web. 2
o
o
Oct. 2016.
<http://www.bmj.com/content/335/7616/380?linkType=FULL&resid=335/7616/380&journ
alCode=bmj>.
UIChildrens. "What Is an Electrocardiogram (EKG)?" YouTube. YouTube, 19 Apr. 2012.
Web. 10 Oct. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxGdbaC8H68>.
"What Is an Electrocardiogram?" National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. USA.gov, 1
Oct. 2010. Web. 2 Oct. 2016. <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ekg>.
