EKG Chapter 1: Role of EKG Tech.

EKG/ECG

painless test that records the electrical activity of the heart- help to diagnosis

EKGs are used by

multiple healthcare professionals

Types of EKG

3-lead, 12-lead, ambulatory monitor (Holter) & stress tests

Ambulatory care AKA outpatient treatment

refers to any setting where medical care is given without the patient being admitted to the hospital:

Acute Care included in broad- inpatient care

refers to treatment given to a patient when admitted in hospital

Why might an EKG be ordered in an acute care setting

help provider diagnose myocardial infarction- requires emergency intervention, taken to catheterization lab (for diagnosing heart disease), then admitted into hospital

healthcare facilities should have- Scope of practice of EKG tech

duties expected & legally allowed to perform

History Taking

medical issues, concerns, complications, HA, or CHD

family history

significant health problems in patient’s close relatives, both high blood pressure

social history

behaviors that could affect the patient’s health- smoking, drinking, & exercise habits

Personal traits- employers soft skills (hard skills= measure BP)

accepting constructive feedback

care of personal appearance

reliable attendance-

attention to detail-

communication skills-

acceptance of cultural diversity

compassion

empathy

sympathy

initiative

integrity

problem-solving ability

timeliness

tact

understanding of teamwork

accepting constructive feedback

, should listen & respond properly (grow professionally),

care of personal appearance

- address what wearing, need proper hygiene, neat hair and short nails, no wrinkles/stain no perfume or cologne (allergic reaction/sensitivity)

reliable attendance

unprofessional is late, can delay medical care behind schedule- stress= reduce quality of care provided

attention to detail

focus on important info (identification before treating patient) EKG clear and readable

communication skills

listen carefully, calm, proper medical terminology when communication to other care team members, good commun= less errors

acceptance of cultural diversity

be culturally sensitive, can be seen as prejudice- legal action

compassion

 sense of concern, usually touch- be culturally aware

empathy

 understand & share in feelings of another person, nonjudgmental

sympathy

expression of concern

Flexibility

 flexible within scope of practice, no EKGs= schedule patients, follow-up calls, filing/stocking supplies

Initiative

always doing something, perform work without being asked

Integrity

honest & trustworthy, some organizations- code of ethics- what is morally wrong or right

Problem-solving ability

 clear, readable EKG, need alternate electrode placement, patients w/language barriers, or pediatric patients

Timeliness

promptly does assigned tasks, respect or time

Tact

ability to say something without causing offense, calm tense situation

Understanding of teamwork

working w/others w/different personalities or backgrounds to achieve outcome

Certification

skills mastered

licensure

legal process that must be completed to practice a medical profession in state

Certification-NHA

must complete approved training class before taking certification test, if have on-the-job experience do not have to take course, pass exam

Training programs include

clinical experience- clinicals- arranged by instructor & under supervision of healthcare professionals

EKG tech must have

high school diploma

Continuing education- in-service education CEU

address new equip. procedures or employer’s policy changes, required by state, fed, certifying agency, or employer

most healthcare employers require

CPR certification for employees who work with patients, maintain AHA BLS certification every 2 yrs renewed

most healthcare certifications need

renewal every few year- proof of active practice, continuing education, paying fee, ex. nHA needs 10 CEU every 2 yrs

Professional and accurate oral and written communication

critical, use med term and medical computer program to document patient care

AED

automated external defibrillator

bid

twice a day

BSI

body substance isolation

CHF

congestive heart failure

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

Dx

diagnosis

NPO

nothing by mouth

PRN

as needed

q w. line above

every

qd

once a day

qid

four times a day

R/O

rule out

Rx

prescription

SOBE

sob on exertion

SA

sinoatrial

tid

three times a day

TPR

temp, pulse, respiration

chain of command

line of authority, path to express concerns/needs, protects employers and employees from liability

liability

person can be held responsible for his actions if he harms someone else

chain of command ex.

CEO, med. director, supervisor/department director, registered nurses, EKG techs.

Employee concern/complaint

always document emails & meetings w/supervisors, can go next person up of chain of command if issue not properly handled, employee= professional

policies & procedures

policy= course of action taken every time when certain situation occurs

procedure= set of steps used to do a task

regularly revised, employee orientation introduces these

may be kept in book or online, do not follow= job loss

confidentiality

legal/ethical principle of keeping info private

slander & libel

not truth or insult about person SPOKEN= slander

WRITTEN= libel

civil offenses= lawsuits, not a crime

HIPAA- health insurance portability & accountability act

protects confidentiality, privacy of person’s health info, guidelines for handling/sharing PHI= PROTECTED HEALTH INFO

Protected health info ex.

Name, postal address, dates associated w/individual, #, fax #, email, URL address, IP address, SSN, account #, license/certificate, med. records, health plan beneficiary #, device identifiers & their serial #, vehicle identifiers, biometric I, photos

HIPAA violation or PHI

civil (noncrim) charges w/fines or crim w/fines or jail, may lose certification

Intentional breach PHI

share info w/other worker who is not involved w/ care of patient

Unintentional breach PHI

healthcare records left in unsecured locations, workers do not log out, paper copies not discarded right, discuss patient care in public places

Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HI-TECH)

convert to electronic Health records (EHR) to easily coordinate care among providers, increased protections over PHI, w/passwords, who logged in and what files opened

Joint Commission

org that evaluates & accredits healthcare facilities- every 3 yrs, inspections/surveys, ongoing improvement