Thanks Julian and Peter,
I have £2000-£2500. Is there an ECG machine with its head above the parapet?
Laurie
-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Julian Bradley
Sent: 10 March 2009 14:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ECG machines in general practice
At 12:25 10/03/2009, you wrote:
>ECG machines in general practice. Is this a good idea? What proportion
>of GP have these? Does anyone have comments or recommendations?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Laurie
Is it a good idea - generally yes.
Not known, but locally high (100% or thereabouts) Self reporting in machines
is a supplement, not a replacement for good human interpretation.
The capacity to export from the machine straight into your PC is a bonus.
Those taking the ECGs will need training - and, aside from experience as a
GP, having had a few ECGs in a few different settings I can vouch for the
fact that not all training (eg degree of skin prep, as well as lead
positioning, breathing instructions etc) or all machines produce the same
results.
Now the contentious bits:
Avoid using to evaluate acute chest pain - once you consider a cardiac cause
or a PE possible, no ECG can exclude the diagnosis.
Those reporting the ECGs will need training - and at ECG quizzes many GPs
seem to be << 100% accurate, with accuracy INVERSELY proportional to
confidence.
They are good for example in rhythm assessment, LV hypertrophy eg in
hypertension, and unexpected abnormals in people who present with vascular
disease but no known Hx of MI.
However NOT a core service.
Best wishes,
Julian
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