ECG Interpretation in Emergency Department

The ECG Interpretation in Emergency Department course offered by Emergency Health Solutions (EHS) is an intensive and highly practical 4-hour training program designed to equip healthcare professionals with the essential skills for rapid and accurate electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation in critical clinical settings. This course is meticulously developed to align with current international standards and guidelines from leading bodies such as the American Heart Association (AHA), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC), ensuring the knowledge gained is globally recognized and directly applicable within Zimbabwe's healthcare environment.

Course Overview:

In the fast-paced Emergency Department, swift and precise ECG interpretation is a life-saving skill. This course provides a comprehensive, systematic approach to adult ECG interpretation, with a foundational introduction to pediatric ECG basics. It combines theoretical learning with extensive practical exercises, including the analysis of numerous sample ECG strips and lead placement diagrams, to solidify understanding and build confidence.

Key Learning Areas Include:

• Introduction to ECG & Basic Electrophysiology:

  • Understanding the purpose and clinical significance of ECGs in the ED.

  • Reviewing the heart's electrical conduction system.

  • Mastering ECG paper characteristics (time and voltage) and the principles of 12-lead ECG placement.

  • Identifying and understanding normal ECG waveforms and intervals (P wave, PR interval, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave, QT interval).

• Systematic Approach to ECG Interpretation:

  • Implementing a structured 6-step approach to ECG analysis: Rate, Rhythm, Axis, Intervals, ST Segment & T Wave, and Overall Impression.

  • Accurately calculating heart rate and determining rhythm regularity.

  • Identifying normal sinus rhythm and common sinus rhythms (bradycardia, tachycardia, arrhythmia).

• Arrhythmias in the ED:

  • Bradyarrhythmias: Recognition and interpretation of various AV blocks (First-degree, Mobitz I & II, Third-degree) and their clinical implications.

  • Tachyarrhythmias: Differentiating and interpreting narrow QRS tachycardias (e.g., SVT, Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter) and wide QRS tachycardias (e.g., Ventricular Tachycardia).

  • Lethal Rhythms: Crucial recognition of Ventricular Fibrillation (VF), Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (pVT), Asystole, and Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA), directly linking interpretation to immediate management.

• Ischemia, Injury, Infarction & Other ED ECGs:

  • Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS): Identifying ECG changes indicative of myocardial ischemia (ST depression, T wave inversion), myocardial injury (ST elevation - STEMI), and myocardial infarction (pathological Q waves), including lead localization.

  • Electrolyte Imbalances: Recognizing characteristic ECG manifestations of critical electrolyte disturbances like hyperkalemia and hypokalemia.

  • Other Important ED ECGs: Brief overview of ECG findings in conditions such as pericarditis and pulmonary embolism.

• Pediatric ECG Basics:

  • Understanding fundamental differences in pediatric ECGs compared to adult tracings, emphasizing age-specific normal values and common variations.

Target Audience:

This course is specifically designed for Registered Nurses, Doctors, Paramedics, Final-Year Student Nurses, and Medical Students who need to rapidly and accurately interpret ECGs in emergency and acute care settings.

Certification:

Upon successful completion of both theoretical and practical assessments, participants will receive an EHS Certificate of Completion, signifying their enhanced proficiency in ECG interpretation.