APPENDIX 4: TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE (continued)
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
REMEDY
Baseline wander.
Static build-up around patient.
Check with Hospital
Engineering Department.
Patient moving excessively.
Secure lead wire and cable to
patient.
Artifact from patient’s
respiration.
Reposition electrodes.
Dry electrodes.
Re-prep skin.
Apply fresh electrodes.
AC noise.
Unit is in a diagnostic mode.
Select monitoring mode.
Dry electrodes.
Re-prep the skin.
Patient cable twisted with cable
of other electrical devices.
Apply fresh electrodes.
Intermittent signal.
Loose connections (electrode to
lead, lead to cable, or cable to
monitor).
Secure connections.
Dry electrodes.
Re-prep skin.
Apply fresh electrodes.
Damaged cable or lead wires.
Replace damaged cable or lead
wire.
Excessive alarms:
heart rate.
Dry electrodes.
Re-prep skin.
Apply fresh electrodes.
High or low alarm limit is set too
close to patient’s normal heart
rate.
Readjust the alarm limit.
R-wave is too small.
Select lead with a higher
amplitude R-wave.
Low amplitude ECG
signal on display.
Sensitivity set too low.
Readjust using SCALE key.
Skin improperly prepared.
Re-prep skin.
Not the patient’s normal
complex.
Check with a 12 lead
electrocardiogram.
Electrode positioned over a
bone or muscle mass.
Reposition electrodes.
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