Electrocardiography Training Program Coursework

When wrong conclusions are made, from ECG readings, the most likely outcome is a wrong diagnosis. The effects of wrong diagnosis are far reaching and may include loss of life for patients and career-enders for professionals (Michelle, E.H. et al. (2009, p.331). Besides, it does nothing to contribute to the development of EKG performance and the profession generally.

It’s for the above reasons that this instructional training will come in handy to ensure that the gap in skills is bridged and technicians and medical professionals perform optimally in setting up EKG equipment. The course will be mandatory for all learners in the remedial program and optional for other learners who might feel the need to polish their skills in EKG reading and analysis.

Knowledge/Skill Gap

Actual performance

EKG learners make many lead switching mistakes while learning. These mistakes include the reversal of right leg and right arm. Normally this leads to the difficulty in seeing signals in lead II. There is also the reversal of the right and left arm electrodes by learners. This mistake commonly happens through the reversal of leads II and III as well as leads aVR and aVL.

Another mistake according to Kathleen,G. et al. (2011, p. 331) that learners make involves the reversal of the left arm and left leg. When this is done, it takes place through the reversal of leads I and II, aVR and aVF and the inversion of lead III. Reversal of the right arm and left leg is another common mistake that EKG learners make. The mistakes involves the inversion of leads I, II and III and leads aVR and aVR.

This skills gap was identified through observation of test data of the learners and learner performance in the classroom. There was a consistent pattern in test results where learners made the mistakes recurrently, a clear indication that there is a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed by training.

Desired performance

Learners after this training will be expected to correctly read the signal, connect, and record through the ISO-1 isolated input amplifier unit. The learners will also be able to correctly use the four plate electrodes and the associated straps, the electrolyte paste of the tube and alcohol pads.

It is expected that learners will be able to correctly perform the procedure and achieve correct results in EKG reading. They will be expected to correctly place the subject in the correct position and perform a successful ECG reading and analysis.

This learning module is necessary because it will help eliminate the common mistakes that learners make in EKG classes. Data suggests that mistakes of this nature occur every year among EKG learners. This model therefore will come in hand in enhancing training in this particular area for both current and future learners.

Failure to develop this module will lead to release of half-baked EKG technicians and Proffesionals to the market that will lead to a compromise of standards in the healthcare industry. Besides, it will not be in the best interest of the training organization if its graduates fail to meet industry standards.

Instructional goal

The main drive behind the development of this module is the achievement of consistency in the performance of EKG learners. It’s assumed after the development and implementation, the common mistakes described above will be significantly reduced among learners after the initial training is done.

The module is also expected to eventually identify the leading causes of the mistakes made by learners so that programs can be put in place to address the. Additionally, the program is expected to help learners not in remedial classes to polish and refresh their skill. A proposal will be fronted to the institution for the training module to be made permanent to ensure continued adherence of organizational standards.

Objectives

Terminal objectives

Learners will be tested at the end of the course and they must meet the objectives that will be set before the beginning of the course. Testing will compulsory for remedial learners and optional for others. The objectives include:

• To test remedial learners on the placement of the right leg and right arm to achieve signal reading in lead II. Learners will be graded and one will be deemed to have passed upon achieving the above signal and a score of over 80 accuracy will indicate achievement of consistency
• To test the placement of right and left arm electrodes. Learners will be deemed to have achieved consistency after correct placement of leads II, III, aVR, and aVL. An accuracy score of 80% by remedial learners will indicate achievement of consistency.
• To test the placement of left arm and right leg.