Why are so many critical care nurses unable to recognize ventricular tachycardia in the 12-lead electrocardiogram?
We submitted the 12-lead electrocardiogram of an easily recognized ventricular tachycardia to more than 2500 critical care nurses for diagnosis. Seventy-eight percent of these failed to diagnose ventricular tachycardia, opting for supraventricular tachycardia with ventricular aberration. It was clear that only 0.5% of 2500 experienced nurses knew the three clues available for diagnosing ventricular tachycardia.
Cooper
J
J
Heart Talk/Tampa Tracings, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 34635-5330.
Marriott
H J
HJ
D003422:Critical Care; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000592:standards; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000592:standards; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000175:diagnosis; D014481:United States