When the heart beats, it creates electrical currents that can be measured by an electrocardiogram. This device works when you place electrodes in specific locations on the body, and each one transmits data back to the machine. This allows the medical professional to determine the heart health of the patient. You can use disposable ECG electrodes, which are only used once.
Where to Place ECG Electrodes
When you use disposable ECG electrodes, you place them the same way you would reusable versions. It takes 10 electrodes to provide 12 different perspectives that make up the electrocardiogram. There is also a 3-lead ECG machine that tracks the heart’s rhythm, and the 5-lead ECG is another option. For the 12-lead ECG, you need 10 electrodes.
Six electrodes are placed across the chest, and the other four are placed on the four limbs. Once the electrocardiogram is complete, you can throw away the disposable chest electrodes.
Benefits of Using Disposable ECG Electrodes
The electrocardiogram is the most commonly performed heart function test, and it is performed in primary care offices, hospitals, and other places. It can be diagnostic or monitoring in nature. One of the risk factors associated with this test is cross contamination or cross-infection. Even when the electrodes are cleaned, there is still an infection risk, especially for patients who have had recent surgery. Disposable ECG electrodes are also easy to use, and they don’t need to be cleaned and disinfected for use with the next patient. This reduces any errors and ensures that each new set of electrodes is sterile and ready for use.
