Labelling of 12-lead ECGs

Heart attack centres we work with have told us that they are not always able to identify a pre-hospital ECG due to the lack of patient detail, and as such it becomes an unsafe practice to use the ECG if it cannot be confirmed who it belongs to. 

The ECGs are of vital importance to map any acute changes and to identify presenting rhythms. This also extends to cardiac arrest patients who we transfer to their PPCI centre. The information on the presenting cardiac arrest rhythm allows doctors to support the underlying diagnosis, which can in turn affect further consequences, such as the need for family screening. 

Can you please ensure printed ECGs or cardiac arrest summaries are labelled with: 

• the patient’s first and last names
• the patient’s date of birth
• our CAD number
• the correct date and time. 

These should be handed over with the patient at the receiving hospital.

Published 17th October 2014