Computer-Generated ECG Interpretation Challenge

Abstract

The predictive accuracy of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) machines is often challenged across all clinical settings. Emergency clinicians must beware of computer-generated ECG reports specifically during the initial medical screening process. Blindly trusting computer-generated reports may delay care for patients with an acute cardiac disorder. Cardiology consultation is always advised, and there should be no hesitation when it comes to abnormal ECGs. However, cardiologists are often consulted on patients based on incorrect ECG interpretation, misdiagnosis, or overdiagnosis by computer-generated reports. The following 12-lead ECGs should encourage emergency providers to take caution and challenge computer-generated reports. The purpose of this exercise is to carefully review a set of 12-lead ECGs and determine whether the computer-generated interpretations are accurate.