New digital ECG machines to improve patient care and safety

New ECG machines are being rolled out across Swansea Bay hospitals which will improve patient care and safety by managing data digitally.

ECG, or electrocardiogram, equipment records the electrical signal from the heart to check for different cardiac conditions. This new generation of machines also allows the information to be uploaded digitally instead of manually. 

Cardiac ITU Sister Rachael Brown said: “The machines read the heart rhythms and are able to decipher its condition and whether the patient is likely to be susceptible to a heart attack.

“Until now we would put a paper copy of the patients details in the file notes for the doctor to review. The former machines were very old school.

“With the new machines we can scan a bar code with the details and upload them to the digital system. It means that rather than having to look for the patient’s papers, we can now go straight to the online clinical portal for their information.”

Many of the Health Board’s existing machines are already able to feed directly into the MUSE Cardiology Information System, which integrates and manages the flow of cardiac information.

But new machines have been introduced into all cardiac areas at Morriston Hospital, as well as ITU, and are also set to be brought into paediatric, endoscopy and pre-assessment wards, pending staff training.

General ward areas at Morriston, Neath Port Talbot and Singleton will also have the facility.

Staff are being asked to ensure they scan or enter patient details and NHS number into the new ECG machines being introduced across the hospitals in phases.

The patient’s ECG will then be uploaded digitally to the systems, providing immediate access to healthcare professionals working anywhere across the site.

Rachael Brown added: “The new system won’t just improve the patient’s care, but also their safety.”

Pictured: Sisters Rachael Brown &  Ceri Lewis-Freeman from CITU and Cyril Evans Wards with one of the new ECG machines.