Research indicates that a newly created wireless EKG patch is as accurate, if not more so, than the readings obtained from conventional EKG machines. This innovative device is referred to as the EKG Patch Solution.
Annually, more than 300 million electrocardiograms (EKGs) are conducted globally, with approximately one-third of these occurring in the United States. Despite their widespread application, the technology behind EKGs has remained mostly unchanged for many years.
A study from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine reveals that this wireless EKG patch is just as reliable, if not more so, than traditional EKG equipment. Developed by MG Medical Products in Cincinnati, the device is making waves in the medical field.
Recently, the study’s results were published in Clinical Research in Cardiology.
Dr. Richard Becker, the study’s lead author and a professor at the UC College of Medicine, states that the patch is simpler for medical personnel to attach correctly and is less prone to inaccuracies when monitoring the heart’s electrical activity.
“It’s user-friendly and can be consistently placed on the chest without needing extensive training for medical staff,” Becker, who is also a cardiologist at UC Health, highlighted. “We’ve also discovered that the chance of an error caused by improper lead placement is reduced by 50%. Ensuring high-quality EKG readings is vital for correct diagnoses and positive health outcomes.”
According to Becker, the Patch EKG features an integrated design with built-in lead wires connected to pre-positioned electrodes that make it easier to attach to the chest, effectively reducing errors associated with electrode misplacement. The patch underwent testing in a prospective, single-blind study involving 200 heart patients, comparing it to the conventional 12-lead EKG method.
Errors that affected the interpretation of the EKG were noted in 6.5% of the Patch EKG cases versus 15% in traditional EKG cases, primarily due to movements from the patients, says Becker.
Among the participants, nearly half preferred the Patch EKG (47%), while the majority (52%) had no strong opinion about the standard EKG.
Jeff McGrath, the president of MG Medical Products, believes that the wireless Patch EKG could revolutionize EKG procedures. Together with his son, Chris McGrath, the chief operations officer at MG Medical Products, he developed the device.
“It’s lightweight at five pounds, eliminating the need to maneuver a heavy machine or deal with tangled wires,” Jeff McGrath explains. “You won’t get anyone dirty, and there’s no specialized skills required to operate this device. Traditional EKG training can last for months, but with this new product, you just need a short 20-minute class to learn how to perform an EKG.”
Chris McGrath emphasizes that the wireless EKG patch could be particularly beneficial for skilled nursing homes, behavioral health facilities, and correctional institutions. Quickly addressing acute cardiac symptoms can lead to lower rates of hospital readmissions for patients in these settings.
“In these environments, being unable to perform an EKG can be very expensive,” adds Chris McGrath.
This study was supported by MG Medical Products, based in Cincinnati.
