Operator's Manual

Chapter 6 Taking medical readings
Tempus Pro User/Operator Manual - 41-2001EN-00 – Page 70
Note
In order to reduce noise and artefact the Monitoring filter should be set to
Monitor
or
Filtered diagnostic and the Mains filter should be switched on. When attached to a mains
power supply noise may be observed on the ECG if these filters are switched off.
Consequently, they should be left switched on when operating under mains power or mains
power should be disconnected if the filters need to be switched off.
Note
Users are reminded to have the mains filter frequency set to the correct value (50 Hz or 60
Hz) in order for it to be effective. This should be checked before use.
Mains frequency setting. Hz means Hertz, or cycles per second. In North America, mains electricity
supplies operate at 60 Hz; most of the rest of the world uses 50 Hz. In aircraft the filter should normally be
set to 50 Hz. In remote land and maritime applications, the local voltage could be either 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
ECG systems can pick up interference from mains electricity supplies. This interference appears on the
screen as regular interference patterns.
6.1.9 Detecting arrhythmias during ECG monitoring
During ECG monitoring, the Tempus Pro analyses the 2 ECG waveforms on the home screen to detect
arrhythmias. All results are displayed as text on the results screen.
WARNING
ECG monitoring arrhythmia analysis is a tool to be used in addition to patient
assessment. Care should be taken to assess the patient at all times.
WARNING
The Automated ECG Arrhythmia Analysis software is designed to be used by
qualified medical personnel.
WARNING
The clinician and/or medically qualified personnel are responsible for determining the
clinical significance of each detected arrhythmia event or alarm.
WARNING
The arrhythmia detection feature on the Tempus Pro is not a diagnosis tool and is an
additional tool to support the clinician in their own diagnosis only. The classification
performance of the arrhythmia feature has been tested using the FDA recognised
consensus standard. The analysis algorithm has also been tested and approved in
other products. The monitor cannot be relied upon to detect all arrhythmias. Do not
rely solely on the displayed arrhythmia data and alarms to assess the patient’s
condition. Always observe the patient closely and monitor all of their vital signs
carefully.
WARNING
The arrhythmia analysis program is intended to detect ventricular arrhythmias. It is
not designed to detect atrial or supraventricular arrhythmias. The program may
incorrectly identify the presence or absence of an arrhythmia. A physician must
analyse the arrhythmia information with other clinical findings.
WARNING
The system can filter out some interference but corrupted or excessively noisy
signals may cause artefacts. If the ECG waveform is too noisy, Noise is displayed on
screen. If no arrhythmias are detected and there is no noise in the signal, Arrhythmia
Analysis On is displayed to ensure the operator is aware arrhythmia analysis is
running.
WARNING
Heart parameters can be affected by the use of drugs. Patient drug use history should
be reviewed when reviewing detected arrhythmia.