Why is the patient attached to the ECG bedside monitor?
The ECG bedside monitor displays the heart rate and rhythm so that the doctor or nurse can determine whether or not the heart is beating normally. What information does the ECG provide? By continuously monitoring the electrical activity in the heart, the ICU staff can tell if the heart is beating too fast or slow and if the heart is following a normal or abnormal rhythm. The ECG is one of the most common monitoring devices used in the hospital. Changes in the heart rate or rhythm may be the first sign that something dangerous is developing and alert the doctor or nurse to investigate further. Frequently, the ECG indicates something is wrong long before it would be detected otherwise. How long is an ECG used? ECGs are used as long as the doctors and nurses believe the patient’s heart is at risk or want more information about how the patient’s heart is beating. What is a normal heart rate expressed in beats per minute (pulse)? Normal heart rates vary between 60-100 beats per minute. A lo
