Increasing Early Cardiac Screening in an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting Using the KardiaMobile 6 Lead Device

AIMS: The Royal College of Psychiatrists' core standards include a comprehensive physical health review as a vital part of an inpatient admission. a. the percentage of patients who receive an ECG during an inpatient stay; b. the percentage of patients who receive an ECG within 24 hours of admission. METHODS: The KM6L device provides a 6 lead ECG recording within 30 seconds. It enables ECGs to be performed more efficiently and less intrusively than a 12 lead ECG machine. The study aimed to offer all patients (101) admitted to an acute inpatient ward (July 2022 – Jan 2023) an ECG using the KM6L device, unless reporting chest pain, having significant cardiac history, or doctor otherwise concerned – in that event a 12L ECG would be done instead. a. the KM6L device between July 2022 and Jan 2023; and b. a 12L ECG between July 2021 and July 2022. QT intervals were calculated manually as the automatic feature is still in development RESULTS: 217 patients admitted; 142 (65.4%) had a 12L ECG during their inpatient stay. Of these, 83 were done within 24 hours of admission (58.5%). Overall, 83/217 (38.2%) of patients had an ECG within 24 hours of admission. 101 patients admitted; 66* (65.3%) had an ECG during their inpatient stay. Of these, 46 were done within 24 hours of admission (69.7%). Overall, 46/101 (45.6%) of patients had an ECG within 24 hours of admission; *Note: 15/66 patients had a 12L ECG as available clinician did not know how to operate KM6L device CONCLUSION: KM6L, despite being easier to use and less intrusive, did not increase the percentage of patients who received an ECG during an inpatient stay. However, there was a notable increase in the percentage of ECGs performed within 24 hours of admission. KM6L offers a cost and time saving alternative for obtaining ECGs; earlier cardiac screening may also reduce risk. Future work will consider further training of healthcare professionals in how to use the KM6L device and expand its use across healthcare settings.