For cardiac rhythm strip evaluation the EKG Club expert panel recommends paramedics, EMTs and students follow a repeatable pattern or process. Although not diagnostic, in many case examining each of these characteristics can help direct appropriate prehospital patient treatment:
- Heart rate
- P wave (Normal shape? Present? Followed by QRS?)
- PR interval (Normal? Short? Long? Irregular?)
- QRS interval (Normal? Short? Long? Irregular?)
- ST segment (Generally a normal shape?)
- T wave (Normally shaped? Tall? Short? Wide?)
- U wave (Present?)
Read more about EKG interpretation from Kevin Grange, Paramedic and EMS1 columnist. Grange describes the process he follows on every EKG to correctly identify the cardiac ryhthym.
12-lead EKG interpretation steps
It is just as important to follow a repeatable pattern or checklist when interpreting a 12-lead EKG. In each lead examine the following:
- Rate and rhythm
- P wave
- PR interval
- QRS interval
- QRS complex and mean axis
- ST segment
- T wave
- U wave
- QT interval
Use each of these checklists as you review 12-lead EKG cases from the EKG club, ECG Guru and EMS 12-Lead.
