Table 2. Reasons for the initiation of telemetry.
The reasons for the initiation of continuous cardiac monitoring are listed in descending order of frequency for this patient population.
a Atrial fibrillation (AFib), b Rapid ventricular rate (RVR), c Atrioventricular (AV), d Diabetic Ketoacidosis/Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (DKA/HHS), e Gastrointestinal (GI).
fIndications included in the "Other" category were: post-implantable cardioverter defibrillator; pericardial effusion; concern for endocarditis; post-operative setting (rib resection, spinal surgery, arteriogram, nephrectomy); concern for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; stroke concern; biliary obstruction; fever; acute renal failure; anaphylaxis; and perforated diverticulitis.
| Overall (n = 254) | |
| Sepsis | 24% (62) |
| Arrhythmia | 12% (30) |
| Tachycardia (not sinus or AFib) a | 6% (15) |
| AFib with RVR b | 2% (5) |
| Bradycardia | 2% (5) |
| Sinus tachycardia | 1% (3) |
| Type 1 second-degree AV block c | 1% (2) |
| Hypoxia | 10% (26) |
| Electrolyte abnormality, DKA/HHS d | 9% (22) |
| Non-GI and GI bleed, anemia e | 9% (22) |
| Other f | 7% (17) |
| Concern for acute coronary syndrome | 6% (16) |
| Pre-syncope, syncope | 6% (16) |
| Seizure, altered mental status | 4% (11) |
| Opiates/ alcohol withdrawal | 4% (9) |
| Non-massive Transfusion | 3% (7) |
| Hypertensive urgency/ emergency | 2% (5) |
| Decompensated heart failure | 2% (4) |
| Hypotension | 2% (4) |
| Concern for pulmonary embolus | 1% (3) |