Anyone know any good resources for learning the basics of EKG interpretation? I might be starting a Monitor Tech position at a local hospital, and I need some background before starting...
EKG interpretation?
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gmcguitar4
If you have an iphone there is an app for it. Maybe try GOOoooogLe Even as a tech I do not think you are qualified to interpret EKG's. Usually, if there are abnormalities they will send it to a cardiologist.
At the hospital I worked at, the monitor techs definitely were responsible for being able to recognize gross abnormalities in cardiac rhythms and relay that info to the nurse. Actually, every 4 hrs they had to go through all patients that were on telemetry and interpret/record their rhythm, HR, etc.
The book i used to learn for nursing school was "Rapid Interpretation of EKG" by Dubin. Very simple to understand (in fact, when you get good at analysis you will laugh at how simple it is presented), but an amazing resource for beginners.
The book i used to learn for nursing school was "Rapid Interpretation of EKG" by Dubin. Very simple to understand (in fact, when you get good at analysis you will laugh at how simple it is presented), but an amazing resource for beginners.
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Dubin is good for nurses and med students, just disregard the fact that it was practically written in prison.
You job will be to get the EKG into the hands of someone qualified to read it ASAP. Dubins is good for some basic understanding.
Also rhythm strips are different than ekg's
You job will be to get the EKG into the hands of someone qualified to read it ASAP. Dubins is good for some basic understanding.
Also rhythm strips are different than ekg's
your hospital will be responsible for teaching you all that you need to know in order to interpret rhythm strips; no need to stress about "pre-studying". for further reference, I use an app called Instant EKG. compact and concise.
and as mentioned, EKG's and rhythm strips are different. as a MT you will be reading rhythm strips (basically a strip of paper with one "EKG" line) and notifying the nurse if the pt converts to a potentially serious arrhythmia. do not worry about learning EKG's for now unless you wish to for your own curiosity (nothing wrong with that).
and as mentioned, EKG's and rhythm strips are different. as a MT you will be reading rhythm strips (basically a strip of paper with one "EKG" line) and notifying the nurse if the pt converts to a potentially serious arrhythmia. do not worry about learning EKG's for now unless you wish to for your own curiosity (nothing wrong with that).
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I have to agree with the resident above me. For your own interest and your cardiology block in the future, Dubin is a good resource. It is not very in-depth, but it does a good job at teaching you how to interpret EKGs step by step. Everyone does this their own way, but Dubin does a good job. His book is a fill-in-the-blank format throughout which makes sure you're actively reading. Not only does it teach you how to interpret EKGs, it does a good job of teaching the basic cardiac electrophysiology and theory behind how EKGs work. All of that theory will be tested in the future when you're sitting in a cardiology exam.
What you'll need to know as an EKG tech will take you a far way now and probably as a medical student. Some gross abnormalities you can't turn a blind eye to, but other things are easy to miss. Just don't get stressed out. I know you're only in college, but take my cardiology professor's words to heart, "Don't stress out over these things. You have an advanced education. They pay people out of high school to interpret these things. Are you smarter than a HS grad? I sure hope so."
Edit: I see you're going to be a monitor tech and not an EKG Tech, but if you're still interested take my advice.
What you'll need to know as an EKG tech will take you a far way now and probably as a medical student. Some gross abnormalities you can't turn a blind eye to, but other things are easy to miss. Just don't get stressed out. I know you're only in college, but take my cardiology professor's words to heart, "Don't stress out over these things. You have an advanced education. They pay people out of high school to interpret these things. Are you smarter than a HS grad? I sure hope so."
Edit: I see you're going to be a monitor tech and not an EKG Tech, but if you're still interested take my advice.
