Accurate ECG readings are essential in clinical environments, and the display from a hospital patient monitor plays a central role in patient assessment. However, ECG artifacts are frequent challenges that can obscure true cardiac signals and lead to misinterpretation if not correctly identified and addressed. This article explores common causes of ECG artifacts and offers practical steps to improve signal quality on your healthcare monitor.
Recognising ECG Artifacts and Their Sources
Artifacts on an ECG appear as distortions that do not originate from the heart’s electrical activity. These can manifest as baseline wander, erratic spikes, or irregular waveforms. One frequent cause is patient movement or muscle tremor, which introduces noise that mimics or distorts cardiac activity on the trace. Clean, consistent skin contact and asking patients to relax can reduce this effect significantly. Poor electrode attachment or dried-out gel can also degrade signal quality, making trace lines unstable or noisy. Checking that all electrodes are firmly placed and replacing them when compromised is a simple yet effective first step. Additionally, electrical interference from nearby devices or power lines can introduce high-frequency noise into the ECG trace. Positioning the hospital patient monitor and its cables away from other electrical equipment helps minimise this type of disruption.
Practical Troubleshooting Steps
When you encounter an abnormal ECG trace on a healthcare monitor, start by inspecting the leads and cables. Loose connections or damaged cables are common sources of artifact and can often be resolved quickly by reseating or replacing the components. Preparing the skin by cleaning and lightly abrading the electrode sites reduces impedance and improves conduction, lowering the risk of poor signal capture. Be mindful of potential interference from surgical units or other powered devices. If such interference is suspected, repositioning equipment or adjusting filter settings on the monitor can reduce extraneous noise. Many monitors include adjustable filter options that help suppress both low-frequency baseline drift and high-frequency electrical interference.
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing common ECG artifacts ensures that clinicians can rely on their hospital patient monitor for meaningful data, resulting in better clinical decisions. Simple checks such as verifying lead placement, maintaining clean electrodes, and managing environmental factors often resolve many artifacts seen on a healthcare monitor. For facilities looking for dependable ECG performance with advanced monitoring capabilities, the EDAN iX Series blends robust design and clinical usability. This series supports clear, consistent ECG tracing and can be a valuable addition to any patient care setting where artifact-free monitoring is a priority.
