Uses of the electrocardiogram: report on a WHO study
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World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe
Abstract
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25 p.
The electrocardiogram (ECG) technique is widely used today either in the clinical evaluation of patients with cardiovascular diseases or as part of the routine examination of selected groups of patients or healthy people. The widespread use of the ECG has led in several countries to the development of so-called independent ECG laboratories, separate from cardiology services. This in turn has led to an increase in the number of ECGs performed, often with little justification and poor utilization. The tendency to use the ECG as an almost obligatory procedure at almost each contact of the patient with the health services has further inflated its use. In view of this trend, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe has chosen to study the uses of the ECG as one of the first research topics under its programme on appropriate technology for health. The main aims of the study were to: review the present uses of the ECG; collect information on the organization of specialized services; analyse the utilization of existing services; and suggest guidelines for further development. The intention was to provide public health decision-makers (ministry of health officials, chief district medical officers, hospital directors) with adequate technical information on the present situation and future trends in order to assist them in making adequate policy decisions.
The electrocardiogram (ECG) technique is widely used today either in the clinical evaluation of patients with cardiovascular diseases or as part of the routine examination of selected groups of patients or healthy people. The widespread use of the ECG has led in several countries to the development of so-called independent ECG laboratories, separate from cardiology services. This in turn has led to an increase in the number of ECGs performed, often with little justification and poor utilization. The tendency to use the ECG as an almost obligatory procedure at almost each contact of the patient with the health services has further inflated its use. In view of this trend, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe has chosen to study the uses of the ECG as one of the first research topics under its programme on appropriate technology for health. The main aims of the study were to: review the present uses of the ECG; collect information on the organization of specialized services; analyse the utilization of existing services; and suggest guidelines for further development. The intention was to provide public health decision-makers (ministry of health officials, chief district medical officers, hospital directors) with adequate technical information on the present situation and future trends in order to assist them in making adequate policy decisions.