Marriott Heart Foundation's
Online Course in
Basic Electrocardiography
Recent quote from Dr. Henry Marriott, Co-Founder
of the Basic ECG Examination for Cardiac Nurses
and Technicians in 1991.
"The
electrocardiogram remains the most often ordered diagnostic test in cardiology,
the least expensive, the most relied upon, and yet remains the most often
misunderstood."
FYI:
We believe the reason for the huge misunderstandings over ECGs is that we
lack a standard system of analyzing the ECG, and many of us rely too much on the
computerized interpretation, which can be up to 50% in error in most modern
interpretive systems. We are sure you have experienced a case where at
least three different diagnoses of an ECG were made by physicians and nurses,
when only one was correct. We hope to relieve this problem by offering
this extensive course for the beginning ECG reader, and by stressing the need
for a standard systematic method of interpretation. Marriott always said
"pinpoint the primary diagnosis and then the secondary diagnoses" (example:
primary diagnosis is sinus bradycardia, secondary diagnosis is the escape
junctional rhythm that results from the bradycardia). The reason this is
so important at any level of ECG reading is because it will help direct us in
our management decisions.
Basic ECG
Course Development:
The Basic ECG lessons
include single rhythm strips and the basic 12-lead. We feel it is
essential to introduce the basic student to a normal 12-lead ECG in order for
them to understand the need for point of view. Understanding the basics of
the 12-lead helps the student to further understand the bedside ECG monitoring needs
of each patient they monitor.
These lessons satisfy the content for Basic ECG Rhythm
Reading and Basic 12-Lead Electrocardiography, and are based on standards of
electrocardiography developed by the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine
(ABCM) and the Marriott Heart Foundation (MHF), using needs assessment models
for a diverse basic audience in cardiology.
Evidence-based research practice guidelines developed by
the ACC/AHA for physicians were considered and included in these developments.
However, the Marriott Heart Foundation (MHF) and the ABCM have expanded the
scope of practice to encompass the Basic Rhythm and Basic 12-lead ECG skills and
the needs of all cardiovascular professionals including: emergency physicians,
hospital panel readers, cardiovascular nurse practitioners, coronary care
nurses, and interventional cardiac nurses, telemetry nurses, ECG/monitor
technicians, and CV technologists in invasive and non-invasive diagnostic and
procedures labs.
______________________________________________________________
This course includes
13
individual lessons. The student can print out the
Lessons 13 which is the ECG Essentials Review Manual
and practice exam (as there
are several ECGs that were scanned horizontally and one
cannot see them well unless they lie on their
side.).
A
certificate of attendance
will be issued upon completion of the course.
Basic ECG Learning Objectives:
Upon
completion of this course in Basic ECG the student should have mastered the
topics within each of the lesson plans within this course.
Basic ECG Course Contents:
If the student is new to
Basic ECG recording and reading, it is recommended that they
study the 13 lessons
in the order presented below.
Lesson 1 -
Sinus Rhythms & Calculating Heart Rate
Lesson 2 - Bundle Branch Blocks
Lesson 3 - Atrial Rhythms
Lesson 4 - Junctional Rhythms
Lesson 5 - Ventricular Rhythms
Lesson 6 - AV Blocks
Lesson 7 - Electrolyte Disturbances
Lesson 8 - Myocardial Ischemia
Lesson 9 - Myocardial Infarction
Lesson 10 - 12-Lead ECG Recording, Reading, & Bedside Monitoring Essentials
Lesson 11 - Bedside ECG Monitoring Practice
Lesson 12 - Differentiating the Wide-QRS Patterns
Lesson 13 - Basic ECG Essentials Review Manual & Basic Board Certification
Practice Exam
Individual Student Pricing:
Each student will be issued a username and password after they
register for the course. This username and password should be stored in a
safe place and is essential to enter the online classroom.
The students
may enter the classroom as many times as necessary during their six month
registration.
Individual Price:
$139.95
includes lessons 1-13 above
Institutional Pricing for Students:
An institution must
be able to sign up 10 students to take advantage of these prices. Each student will be issued a username and password after they
register for the course. This username and password should be stored in a
safe place and is essential to enter the online classroom.
The students
may enter the classroom as many times as necessary during their six month
registration.
Institutional Price:
$79.95
per person and includes lessons 1-13 above