The V-Quick patch versus the standard 12-lead ECG system: time is the essence

INTRODUCTION The V-Quick patch template system is compared with the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition technique in this paper. The objectives of the study were: (a) to study and compare the time taken to produce the printed 12-lead ECG and (b) to look at the level of agreement when the ECGs were compared by two blinded, independent assessors. METHODS One hundred and fifty each of male and female volunteers signed an informed consent form to participate in the clinical study. Nurses were put through a 4-h training session to familiarise themselves with the V-Quick patch system. The timings were measured with a stopwatch with the specific start and end points defined. The final ECG printouts were then compared by two blinded, independent assessors for several set criteria. RESULTS The V-Quick patch system was proved to be significantly faster than the standard 12-lead system in the acquisition of the ECG in both male and female volunteers. The time taken in male volunteers was also noted to be significantly faster than in female volunteers. CONCLUSION The two assessors shared a 100% agreement level when comparing the ECGs acquired by both techniques in the same individual (intra-assessor agreement) and when each ECG was read by the two assessors separately (inter-assessor agreement).