I just purchased a practice with an existing EKG it seems pretty straight forward-used it the first time on an 18 year old-other than the electrodes not sticking the ekg was performed and no issues. Yesterday I tried to do an EKG on a 49 yo female and the tracing kept saying waiting for good tracing and "drift" What does drift mean?
Fri Feb 05 2021
EKG says Drift
Fri Feb 05 2021Reply from Chris S
I would check your electrodes first. Are they expired? Have they been opened for more than 7 days? Was proper skin prep completed?
It could also be bad lead wire(s).
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Fri Feb 05 2021Reply from MMC2020Grand
Yes so we thought of that and opened new packages-two different types. I don't think it is a bad lead if it worked correctly on one patient and then not the next. I did not do any skin prep. I will try that next time-The alcohol wipe to site-There was no hair to speak of.
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Tue Mar 28 2023Reply from Chris-CBET
little late to the party, but the #1 issue I've found with almost every EKG is the technician. I see eyes roll and heads explode when i explain how the electrode site needs to be shaved and cleaned. if it's too oily, hairy, dirty or dry, it will affect your reading.
not saying that's your issue cause, but it's been 2 years, what was your final resolution?
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