Read about the latest news on ECG / EKG Machines

EKG machines are a popular item for used medical equipment dealers, primarily because of their reputation for durability and a long life span. However, with so many “like new” EKG machines available for purchase, customers often wonder which one to buy. Below are some facts about two of the bestselling used ECG/EKG machines from GE Healthcare:

The Mac6 Marquette EKG Machine

This 12-lead electrocardiogram system includes the manufacturer’s AM-4 or AM-5 acquisition module, fax transmission and full-page printouts, plus an optional roll cart. This popular machine offers the power of a computerized EKG, which acquires the signals from 12 leads in just 15 seconds, while simultaneously analyzing them with the GE Marquette’s 12SLT analysis program. This EKG machine also has powerful networking capabilities that allow it to receive and transmit ECG readings from other compatible ECG equipment. This advanced feature allows the portable and battery-operated Mac 6 to quickly send test results to a secondary location. The single button operation on this mobile EKG can be used to acquire, analyze, print and store ECG data easily.

The Mac 3500 Resting EKG Machine

Another in-demand item from GE Healthcare, the Mac 3500 was developed to provide a high-value performance in ECG testing for medical offices and clinics. Part of GE’s MAC family of medical equipment, it includes many of the features from previous models, making it an easy transition for medical staff. With an internal storage capacity of 50 ECGS, and a CT data guard to keep this data safe, this EKG machine can also communicate with others in data management via a wireless network or LAN connection. Highly compatible with other MAC systems, the 3500 has an integrated ECG acquisition module and built-in ECG analysis. It also comes with an integrated pump for the KISS system and a pacer spike display.
Find the best new and refurbished EKG machines online at Absolute Medical Equipment (http://www.absolutemed.com).

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In recognition of Heart Month, Prevention Magazine recently released their latest recommendations for the type of testing that could save a person’s life. Surprisingly, the tests they recommend go beyond the EKG screening, and include some tests with unfamiliar-sounding names. Below is a sampling of some these tests, and why they are important for high-risk patients.

Ultrasound of the Carotid Arteries – As if we needed more evidence that ultrasound technology is the fastest growing area of medical equipment; this test uses a handheld ultrasound scanner that measures the thickness of the lining in the carotid arteries. Studies have connected an abnormal thickness of these arterial walls with the early stages of coronary artery disease. It is specifically recommended for people who have a relative who has suffered a stroke or heart attack before the age of 55.

Stress echocardiography – In addition to a Stress EKG test, a stress echocardiogram is a valuable tool in diagnosing heart abnormalities. It can analyze the blood flow to the heart’s chambers and check for blockages in the major arteries.

Cardiac Calcium Analysis – This test may not be sound familiar, but it is becoming more widely known among people who are at high risk for heart disease. In this quick 10-minute test, a CT scanner is used to check for signs of atherosclerosis, or plaque build-up in the arteries. It also utilizes an EKG machine, with electrodes attached to the patient’s chest to monitor heart rhythms while they move through the CT scanner. According to leading cardiologists, calcium scoring is a reliable predictor of future heart attacks, since calcified plaque is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke.

The C-Reactive Protein Test is another interesting test recommended by Prevention. It measures the amount of CRP protein in the blood, a protein that is released when blood vessels are inflamed by arterial plaque.
Be advised that these and other cardiac tests are not necessary for everyone; many are not recommended until after the age of 40 or 50, and others are indicated only when a patient is at high-risk for a heart attack.

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Larger hospitals have started using location-aware software programs to keep track of their “medical assets”, which include patient information and used medical equipment. Two companies that are already involved in creating this technology, GE Healthcare and Cisco Systems, have recently announced a partnership to provide an even greater improvement of workflow.

At the recent HIMSS 2011 conference in Orlando, the two companies made a public announcement of their agreement, which will combine the context-aware Unified Wireless Network from Cisco with the AgileTrac platform from GE Healthcare. The purpose of this partnership is to help hospitals keep better track of their medical assets by integrating WiFi networks and Real-Time Location Software (RTLS) into one seamless operation. Ultimately, hospitals will be able to use the combined platform to track x-ray machines, patient tags, laptops, beds and other equipment across the hospital’s WiFi network in real time, thereby filling a gap between two information silos.

While the majority of large hospitals in the United States already use WiFi networks and RTLS, the partnership between Cisco and GE is expected to enhance the way these systems work to track used medical equipment inventory. The integrated system will not only help hospitals run more efficiently, it will also improve the quality of patient care.

The partnership between Cisco’s context-aware software and mobility services engine with GE’s AgileTrac RFID workflow application are already enhancing the efficiency and quality of care in a few larger hospitals. One health system participating in their new platform’s pilot program is the Bon Secours Richmond Health System. So far, Virginia’s largest health system has tracked over 17,000 assets and is already benefiting from more streamlined hospital operations. Bon Secours was able to successfully integrate its existing asset tracking program into the Cisco GE platform to get real-time data on the movement and location of patients and mobile equipment throughout its facilities.

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Medical professionals are often amazed at the number of patients who refuse to get regular checkups, especially when the patient is at high risk for heart disease. So many heart attack patients lament that they might not have had a heart attack if they had taken better care of themselves. Like Ben Franklin once said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Other than the obligatory blood pressure test, one of the most important tests a patient can get is an electrocardiogram (EKG). Of all the technological advances of the past century, the EKG test has played a very important role in diagnosing heart disease, and they have gotten much easier to use. Today’s EKG machines are lightweight and portable, making it easier to move them around from room to room in a hospital setting. Some of the smallest EKG devices are used in mobile healthcare units and emergency vehicles.

While most people will have at least one encounter with EKG machines in their lifetime; unfortunately, many of them will undergo their first EKG test after a cardiac event, rather than as a preventive procedure. Recent advancements in medical equipment technology have made EKG machines one of the most reliable ways to determine the condition of a patient’s heart.

People at high risk for heart disease, including conditions like hypertension and coronary artery disease, should be especially vigilant about preventive cardiac care. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), about half of all deaths related to heart disease occur unexpectedly, as a sudden event like a heart attack or stroke. Preventive care of the heart, including a healthy lifestyle and regular EKG testing, is the only way to prevent atherosclerosis, or the build-up of fatty deposits in arteries. The AHA is encouraging the healthcare community to shift their focus to prevention, rather than symptomatic treatments like angioplasty, bypass procedures, pacemakers and drug therapy.

All patients are advised to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle in order to prevent heart disease, but especially those who are genetically predisposed to the disease.

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