Course Title: Perform electrocardiography (ECG)

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2009

Course Code: MIET5918C

Course Title: Perform electrocardiography (ECG)

School: 155T Life & Physical Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3199 - Certificate III in Pathology

Course Contact : Catherine (Katie) Fox

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4129

Course Contact Email:katie.fox@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Program Coordinator

Catherine (Katie)  Fox

+ 61 3 99254129

katie.fox@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

This unit can be assesses independently, however holistic assessment practice with other general health services units of competency is encouraged

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to use an electrocardiograph, and to provide a client’s ECG trace under the supervision of an appropriate health professional.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

HLTPAT407B Perform electrocardiography (ECG)

Element:

Prepare client and attach ECG leads

Performance Criteria:

 1.1.
Correctly identify, reassure and inform client regarding the ECG procedure.
1.2.
Record client information eg.name, medical record number, date and time, and whether client has chest pain or is pain free.
1.3
Position client for the attachment of leads
1.4
Attach leads according to procedure manual, and correct lead placement is double checked.

Element:

Prepare electrocardiography machine for use.

Performance Criteria:

2.1.
Check ECG machine against a checklist before each use for good electrical working order, for cleanliness, calibration, and for correct settings.
2.2.
Check ECG machine to ensure that it is maintained according to the AS 3551 technical management program for Medical Devices.

Element:

Produce an ECG trace according to the documented procedures

Performance Criteria:

3.1
Label leads as they are recorded, and record if a filter is used.
3.2
Record lead 2 ‘rhythm strip’ being of a length prearranged with the requesting practitioner.
3.3
Produce trace eliminating sources of interference and maintaining a straight base line.
3.4
Clean client’s chest and ECG electrodes on completion of procedure.
3.5
Forward trace to cardiologist for reading

Element:

Recognize and manage common ECG interference patterns

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Identify and manage electrical interference
4.2 Identify and manage skeletal muscle tremor
4.3 Identify and manage excessive muscle activity
4.4 identify and manage a wandering base line


Learning Outcomes


Demonstrate competency in the knowledge and skills required to use an electrocardiograph, and to provide a client’s ECG trace under the supervision of an appropriate health professional.


Details of Learning Activities

Participation in formal lectures
Participate in a range of individual and team scenarios/role plays/case studies related to elements of working effectively in the health industry:
Perform elements of competence as designated for this learning segment to the required standard during clinical placement
OR where employed in Pathology Collection, participate in workplace jobs activities related to elements of this competency


Teaching Schedule

Semester 1 & 2

As per timetable


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Warekois:  A Phlebotomy Worktext 2007


References

Per Perform Blood Collection course guide and Certificate III In Pathology Specimen Collection 2009 Program Handbook
RMIT Library –Pathology Specimen Collection Library resource folder
http.//www.rmit.edu.au/library
ECG Made Easy Mc Call,R & Tankersley,C (2003) Phlebotomy Essentials,3rd Ed. Philadelphia,USA: Lippincott,Williams & Wilkins Publishers


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be based on -
Written short answer test questions on electrocardiography, anatomy & physiology relevant to electrocardiography.
Performance of elements of competence as designated for this unit to the required standard during one or more of the following:
- Simulated workplace scenarios
- Off-campus on the job workplace/practical placement


Assessment Tasks

Assessment of performance requirements in this unit should be observed on-campus in the simulated health setting and off-campus on-the job with questioning to address appropriate knowledge.

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Using workplace scenarios, participate in supervised procedural practice in simulated and/or actual pathology collection facility
Written Assignment/test to assess knowledge


Assessment Matrix

Written Assignment/short answer quizzes
Observed –
a. On-campus in the simulated health setting
B.Off-campus on-the job.

Other Information

Where for reason of safety, space or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace; the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible.

At this level, work will normally be carried out within known routines,
methods and procedures which require the exercise of some discretion and
judgment.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview