REFLECTIONS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF AUTOMATED ECG INTERPRETATION Available to Purchase

This paper briefly describes the technical aspects of ECG interpretation by computer, and thereafter discusses in detail the considerations involved in introducing the method into a large hospital. One of the most important of these is that of educating physicians to accept 3‐lead ECG interpretations. Technical problems are discussed together with the question of staffing, and it is emphasized that the introduction of automation does not normally lead to any staff redundancy. The various shortcomings of existing methods are described but the benefits accruing from automation are discussed. The conclusion drawn is that the technique will prove to be of value in the near future when regional centres are established to cope with the ever increasing demand for ECG interpretations.