What You Need to Know about Patient Telemetry

Posted by jetmedical on April 12th, 2019

Telemetry is an observation tool that allows the continuous monitoring of a patient's electrocardiogram (ECG) and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2). Healthcare providers prescribe telemetry to patients who needtheir heart rates monitored for an extended period. Additionally, telemetry keeps the patient active without being restricted to a bedside cardiac monitor.

Why a Patient May Need Telemetry

A healthcare provider may administerpatient telemetryfor several reasons such as:

• Having heart problems like heart attack, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain
• Taking medicines that regulate the heartbeat
• Having certain medical conditions like a stroke or kidney failure
• Having certain lung problems like a blood clot or fluid buildup
• Suffering from an injury or being in shock
• Going through surgery and having anesthetics or other types of sedation administered to the patient

 Who May Be Recommended for Telemetry?

Telemetry isn't a replacement for a patient's assessment and visualization, so it's not recommended for all kinds of patients and conditions. Patients that require telemetry are children diagnosed with or at risk of arrhythmia. It's also required for children who are at risk of sudden cardiac deterioration.

 Patients under two years old aren't recommended for telemetry because the size of the electrodes are too big for them.Additionally, post-operative patients who are still under observation and patients who are at risk of any life-threatening symptoms of arrhythmia aren't recommended for telemetry.

 Telemetry is also not recommended for patients undergoing external pacing and inotropic therapy. The same goes for patients who experience frequent unexplained episodes of sudden collapse.

 How Is Telemetry Monitoring Done?

If a patient needs a telemetry monitor, a healthcare provider will clean and prepare the patient's skin before placing 3 to 12 electrodes on the chest and stomach areas. Some electrodes may also be placed on the arms and legs.

 A wire is attached to each electrode and to a small device that sends the heart's electrical activity to a monitoring station. At the station, a healthcare provider checks the monitor to see if there are changes or problems with the patient's heart.

 Telemetry monitoring can last from 24 hours to over 72 hours depending on the patient's situation.To ensure the accuracy of the telemetry's readings, the patients should be assessed daily.

 Proper maintenance of the telemetry device also goes hand in hand with excellent and accurate patient monitoring. Telemetry maintenance can be done by checking the battery status regularly and changing the electrodes daily to ensure that the telemetry monitor is working well and provides accurate results.

 Patient telemetry is necessary for making sure that patients who need extended monitoring get the care they need without being confined to a hospital.A trusted healthcare provider will make the right recommendation to a patient who needs telemetry and will be responsible for monitoring the device as well as ensuring the progress of the patient's health.