It’s no secret that being a healthcare professional is challenging. Whether you are working directly with patients as an RN or providing support from behind the scenes as an EKG technician, there are so many skills and protocols to master. There is also a lot of information to digest about your patient’s health that can be a bit overwhelming at times. That’s why it is important for prospective and current healthcare professionals to take the time not just to research but also commit key information about their field to memory . After all, your ability to empathize with patients and make quick decisions when necessary could mean the difference between saving a life and putting them in danger. These three reasons explain why EKG classes are important for healthcare professionals in any field:
EKG Interpretation Is Crucial for Patient Care
A 12-lead EKG is a diagnostic test that allows medical professionals to get a glimpse into their patient’s heart. The test can detect any irregularities that may be impacting blood flow or electrical activity, which can result in a variety of symptoms. EKGs are generally done as a precautionary measure during a patient’s healthcare visit or as part of a routine annual exam. The more comfortable you are interpreting these results, the more confident you can be when providing your patient with information about the state of their health. If you are still in school and are looking to enter the healthcare field, having a good grasp on the basics of EKG interpretation will prepare you to take on this responsibility. With that being said, it is crucial that you commit these EKG interpretation basics to memory. While there are ways to cheat the system and find out the results of your patient’s EKG online, you don’t want to give your patient the wrong idea about your level of preparedness.
Understanding a Patient’s Health is the Foundation of Healthcare
In order to treat a patient effectively, you need to understand his or her health condition. This is where your understanding of healthcare basics comes in handy. Taking EKG classes to learn about disorders that can affect a person’s heart health is crucial for healthcare professionals. This will help you recognize the symptoms of various heart conditions and know which illnesses you should be looking out for in your patient. You might be thinking, “But what if my patient doesn’t have a heart condition?” Well, knowing these signs and symptoms will also help you differentiate between normal and concerning signs and symptoms. This will allow you to approach your patient with the right level of care, which can make a huge difference in their quality of life. Understanding your patient’s underlying health condition is the first step in providing effective care.
Knowing What to Look For and When Is Important
As we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of different leads that go into creating a 12-lead EKG. This test is used to determine if your patient has one of the following disorders: – Abnormalities in the heart’s rhythm – Abnormalities in the heart’s electrical conduction system – Abnormalities in blood flow to the heart – Abnormalities with the heart valves – Abnormalities with the heart’s muscle tissue If your patient’s EKG shows any of the above abnormalities, you will need to understand what to look for and when. For example, if during your EKG reading you notice an abnormal rhythm in your patient’s heart beat, you will need to know when to look for these signs and symptoms: – Difficulty breathing – Increased blood pressure – Swelling in the legs – Shortness of breath – Chest pain – Rapid heart rate
Conclusion
Now that you understand why EKG classes are important for healthcare professionals, you can take the next step by investigating your school’s EKG curriculum. Most EKG courses are offered as a one-off elective course, but you can also find EKG classes as a part of a more comprehensive healthcare course. If this interests you, make sure to do your research so you can find the right program for you. With these basics under your belt, you will be better prepared to handle the challenges of being a healthcare professional.
