For hospitals and medical centers, there are a few features that a portable Electrocardiogram ECG, ECG monitor, must possess. Since efficiency is important, ECG monitors must be easy to operate and effortlessly mobile to go from a patient to patient. ECG, or EKG machines must be ultra portable for quick deployment in life-threatening situations. And, preferably, they must be easy to clean for multipatient use, to prevent contamination with pathogens.

Lastly, a feature that is increasingly emphasized in modern hospitals, is effective data transfer to a centralized place where doctors, and nurses have convenient access to vital life signs on a patient. While even at present time paper ECG monitor recorder output is used, increasingly the data transfer will either be via wired transfer, SD card transfer, or via wireless ECG monitors directly to a centralized hospital computer.

We'll talk here about three types of ECG monitoring equipment that are of use in a hospital setting. We'll cover instant check portable handheld ECG monitors, interpretive ECG machine, as well as important accessories such as rolling stands, cardiograph paper, and we will point out links to where you can purchase both new ECG machines, as well as ECG monitor parts conveniently online.

Instant check handheld ECG monitors

For quick spot check on a person's heart condition, hand held ECG devices are useful in hospitals. Even though bigger units may work more accurately, they require electric cables, pads, contact gel, and as you can see, can be a pain to just set up. For emergencies, what could be better than turn on the device, have the patient hold it for a few seconds, and instantly read out the heart rhythm, heart rate, and find out any anomalies.

Handheld ECG unit will accomplish just this, in seconds.

If you are looking as a hospital nurse to ease your workload, and be better prepared for emergencies, then find units by Omron, Choice Med, PC, and others in the subsection on instant check portable ECG monitors in the section EKG supplies.

Interpretive ECG machines

These are suitable for a family physician, a visiting nurse, or even for school training. Interpretive ECG machines will also help an emergency medical crew diagnose the heart patient condition while still in transport to the hospital, which speeds up the rescue process. Handheld ECG monitor that used for ECG interpretation normally includes printed paper output for up to 12 ECG leads output, a longer time display of channels, and choice of speed of recording for longer readouts. While not as handy as handheld ECG monitors, they are highly portable and can be used inside and outside the hospital setting.

For more information on brands such as Shiller and Budrick Atria, see the subsection Interpretive EKG machines on this page: ECG replacement.

ECG recorder supplies and accessories

A well-organized hospital must always carry a sufficient supply of ECG accessories, and ECG supplies to keep their ECG monitors in best working order at all times. So timely ordering of ECG recorder supplies is crucial.

ECG recorder supplies include spare ECG electrodes, universal ECG electrodes and ECG pads, ECG cables or ECG leads, as well as ECG thermal and regular paper, and, when the ECG recorder is saving the information electronically, new SD memory cards. Also, you may want to equip your portable ECG monitor with a separate rolling stand.

For information on how to conveniently order ECG recorder supplies online through large online vendors, and possibly get them shipped as soon as overnight, see subsection Portable ECG monitors supplies and accessories here: ECG replacement.

For info on home ECG monitor types, see section Home ECG.