The Accuracy and

Diagnosis Process
Using
Electrocardiograms
EMILEE SMITH
*SOME INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION COMES FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES.

Independent Study Mentorship

Fall 2016
o

Mentor: Megan Stearns, RN

Mentorship site: Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, the heart

tower

ISM teacher: Mrs. Kristi Click

Topic: The diagnostic processing and accuracy of an

electrocardiogram

What is Independent Study

Mentorship?
o

Independent study mentorship is a semester long course where students

receive active learning directly from a mentor to gain insight and
knowledge of potential jobs. Throughout the mentorships, students are
requires to research a topic to create a mid- term presentation

Project Title
o

This semester, I have chosen to research the accuracy and

diagnosis process using electrocardiograms because the first step
to diagnosing any heart problem is with the reading of an
electrocardiogram. Many people undermine the use of
electrocardiograms, and also the electrocardiograms accuracy is
also undermined.

This power point will cover abnormalities of the heart that can be
diagnosed by electrocardiograms.

About my mentor
o

In 2008, Megan attended College of the Mainland earing an

associate degree in art in general studies. She entered into the
nursing program in 2012, graduating in 2014 with an associates
degree in nursing. Currently she is working towards her bachelors
degree.

Right out of school, she began working at St. Josephs, moving to

UTMB six months after. Taking some time off, Megan was employed
by St. Davids North Austin Medical Center. In July of 2016, she
moved to Clear Lake and is employed at Clear Lake Regional.

Megan mostly had worked in med- surg with a focus on

orthopedics, some bariatrics. She is now in the cardiovascular
department.

About my Mentor (Cont.)

Clear Lake Regional Medical

Center: Heart Tower
o

The only heart specialization hospital south of Texas Medical Center,

the heart tower at Clear Lake Regional oversees many
cardiovascular conditions . The hospitals receive emergency
patients and can, if needed, perform heart surgeries.

"Clear Lake Heart and Vascular Hospital." Clear Lake Heart, No.1 in Heart Care in
Houston -. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016. <http://clearlakeheart.com/>.

Key Points
o

Definition of electrocardiogram

Explanation of product

Pictures obtained from

mentorship of an
electrocardiograph

Concluding statement

Special thanks to

Describe the procedure of an

electrocardiograph

Bibliography

Explain the different types of

abnormalities represented on an
electrocardiogram

Provide pictures as to what

abnormalities look like on an
electrocardiogram

What is an Electrocardiogram?
o

A tracing representation of the hearts electrical action derived by

the amplification of the minutely small electrical impulses normally
generated by the heart

There are many reasons someone might be requested to get an

electrocardiogram by a doctors, some symptoms and not limiting
to; chest pain, breathing problems, tiredness and weakness, uneven
heart sounds, and any pounding feelings.

"What Is an Electrocardiogram?" National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. USA.gov, 1

Oct. 2010. Web. 2 Oct. 2016. <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/healthtopics/topics/ekg>.
"Electrocardiogram | Definition of Electrocardiogram by Medical Dictionary."The
Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016. <http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/electrocardiogram>.

How is an electrocardiogram
taken?
o

An electrocardiogram also is called an EKG or ECG. Sometimes the

test is called a 12-lead EKG or 12-lead ECG. This is because the
heart's electrical activity most often is recorded from 12 different
places on the body at the same time. (NHLBI contributors page 1)

To begin an electrocardiogram, a nurse will attach sensors in the

form of sticky pads, also known as electrodes. The electrode
patches have the same size similar to a quarter.

The duration of the test is estimated to be around 10 minutes.

"Electrocardiogram | Definition of Electrocardiogram by Medical Dictionary."The Free

Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016. <http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/electrocardiogram>.

What is the procedure for taking an

EKG?
o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxGdbaC8H68

UIChildrens. "What Is an Electrocardiogram (EKG)?" YouTube. YouTube, 19 Apr. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxGdbaC8H68>.

Which cardiac arrhythmias can an

electrocardiogram diagnose?
o

Hypertrophy
o

Left and Right Ventricular

Atrial

Bundle Branch Blocks

Ischemia

V-Fib

Tachycardia

A-Fib

AV block

Atrial Enlargement

What do cardiac arrhythmias look

like on an electrocardiogram?

Product: Video
o

I will be creating a video demonstrating an EKG and how to read it

as well.

My video will be created on Movie Maker and then added

onto my final PowerPoint

How accurate is an
electrocardiogram?
o

Study conducted to research how often or easy it is for a healthcare

worker to misinterpret an electrocardiogram

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 8.4%. Interpretative software

was the most accurate method of reading electrocardiograms but
did not give a rhythm diagnosis in 109 (4.3%) and missed 26 (12%)
cases of atrial fibrillation

The statistics are showing that the computer system is the most
accurate when reading an electrocardiogram. However it is stating
that the computer system is not always 100% accurate with the
readings.

Twenty per cent of cases of atrial fibrillation were missed, and the
probability that a positive diagnosis was correct was only 41%.
Hobbs, Richard, Ellen T. Murray, and Roger Holder. "Accuracy of Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation on Electrocardiogram by
Primary Care Practitioners and Interpretative Diagnostic Software: Analysis of Data from Screening for Atrial Fibrillation
in the Elderly (SAFE) Trial." British Medical Journal. British Medical Journal, 23 Aug. 2007. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
<http://www.bmj.com/content/335/7616/380?linkType=FULL&resid=335/7616/380&journalCode=bmj>

Conclusion
o

Electrocardiograms are beneficial in determining if any

abnormalities are present in the heart. However, they can be
challenging to read and give a proper diagnosis. Thus, requiring a
second opinion or another test.

This topic is interesting as it facilitated my understanding to

cardiology and allowed me to question the accuracy of modernday medical machines.

Special Thanks To
o

I would like to give special thanks to everyone who encouraged me

throughout the semester specifically my mentor Megan Stearns, RN
and my teacher Kristi Click, RN. With the combination of
encouragement and instructions, theyve cultivated and inspired
me to achieve my aspirations.

I would also like to give thanks to Gabrielle Charvat and Isabel

Martinez for viewing and critiquing my presentation.

Bibliography
o

Al Ghatrif, Majd, MD, and Joseph Lindsay, MD. "A Brief Review: History to Understand Fundamentals of
Electrocardiography." Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives. Journal of Community
Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2016.
<http://www.jchimp.net/index.php/jchimp/article/view/14383>.

"Clear Lake Heart and Vascular Hospital." Clear Lake Heart, No.1 in Heart Care in Houston -. N.p., n.d. Web.
05 Oct. 2016. <http://clearlakeheart.com/>.

"Electrocardiogram | Definition of Electrocardiogram by Medical Dictionary."The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d.

Web. 05 Oct. 2016. <http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/electrocardiogram>.

Feldman, Henry, and Mariano Rey, MD. "A Simple Guide to Reading and Understanding Practice Research."
Improving the Effectiveness of the Helping Professions: An Evidence-Based Approach to Practice (n.d.): 1938. Columbia University. Columbia, 19 Apr. 1999. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.

Hobbs, Richard, Ellen T. Murray, and Roger Holder. "Accuracy of Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation on
Electrocardiogram by Primary Care Practitioners and Interpretative Diagnostic Software: Analysis of Data
from Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly (SAFE) Trial." British Medical Journal. British Medical Journal,
23 Aug. 2007. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
<http://www.bmj.com/content/335/7616/380?linkType=FULL&resid=335/7616/380&journalCode=bmj>.

UIChildrens. "What Is an Electrocardiogram (EKG)?" YouTube. YouTube, 19 Apr. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxGdbaC8H68>.

"What Is an Electrocardiogram?" National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. USA.gov, 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 2 Oct.
2016. <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ekg>.