What should you do after taking a 12-Lead ECG?

After taking a 12-Lead ECG, it is essential to keep the printout and take it into the Emergency Room (ER) for several important reasons. The 12-Lead ECG provides critical information regarding the heart's electrical activity and can aid in diagnosing various cardiac conditions such as myocardial infarction or arrhythmias. Keeping the printout ensures that the receiving medical staff has immediate access to comprehensive data during patient evaluation and treatment, which can be crucial for timely and effective care.

By bringing the ECG into the ER, you contribute to better communication with the healthcare team, allowing them to make informed decisions quickly based on the patient's cardiac status. This practice aligns with protocols for the timely delivery of cardiac care and improves patient outcomes by enabling rapid intervention when necessary. Keeping the data also allows for further analysis and reference should the patient necessitate continued monitoring or intervention after arrival.