User's Manual

Ultraview Care Network
12
ECG Overview
Digital telemetry ECG monitoring provides continuous monitoring of
electrocardiographic signals in order to detect abnormal cardiac rhythms,
including life-threatening arrhythmias such as asystole, ventricular fibrillation, and
ventricular tachycardia.
Setting Up ECG Monitoring
To set up ECG monitoring, plug each lead wire into the transmitter, connect each
to an electrode, and then attach the leads to the patient. Match the lead wire color
to the color-coded connectors on the top of the transmitter case. Refer to the ECG
chapter in this manual for details regarding electrode application. Telemetry
patients are commonly ambulatory and require optimal skin preparation and lead
application to minimize motion artifact. After the electrodes and lead wires have
been attached, it is important to tape a loop of lead wire close to the electrode to
minimize stress or pulling on the electrode itself. This is called stress-looping.
ECG monitoring begins when the telemetry receiver module detects a signal sent
by a telemetry transmitter. The telemetry transmitter sends a signal as soon as its
battery is installed.
ECG telemetry reception requires the following minimum conditions:
• The telemetry receiver module must be connected to an Ultraview or PCMS
monitor, either directly or through a module housing, with the power ON and a
Spacelabs Medical diversity antenna connected.
• ECG electrodes must be properly attached to the patient; and lead wires
must be properly attached to the transmitter.
• The transmitter battery must be functional.
• The telemetry receiver module must be tuned to the telemetry transmitter's
frequency (channel number).
!
• All system connections must be made by Spacelabs Medical
personnel only.
• Leakage currents are not affected by the high level output.
The patient is electrically isolated from the patient monitor by
the RF link.
WARNING:
• Operating television receivers or other CRT displays near
the transmitter (within 2 to 3 feet), or operation of some
pacemaker programmers may suppress the ECG waveform,
preventing QRS detection and rate counting. An erroneous
asystole alarm may result.
• Signals resulting from devices such as Automatic
Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (AICD) may momentarily
blank the ECG trace rather than display an out-of-range
signal. In such cases, it may not be apparent that the AICD
has signaled and the condition of the patient should be
checked. In all instances of AICD signaling, the bedside or
central will redisplay the ECG waveform within 5 seconds.
To initiate ECG monitoring:
1 Select a transmitter
2 Note its channel number
3 Attach lead wires to transmitter
4 Attach lead wires to electrodes
5 Apply electrodes to patient
6 Install a transmitter battery
7 Close the transmitter case