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TelemETRY 

Currently cardiac telemetry monitoring (arrhythmia, ST-segment & QTc) is limited to the MICU, PCU, and 4C medicine wards. Due to this limitation there may be delays in patients being admitted to telemetry from the emergency department or unnecessary boarding within the MICU awaiting a telemetry bed. 

Please review the the evidence based indications for telemetry monitoring within our facility. These guidelines are taken from the AHA Guidelines (2017) and the summative VHA telemetry Guidebook (2020)

Telemetry should be reviewed on a daily basis, and discontinued if no longer indicated or appropriate. 

To Order Telemetry:

1) Select an indication (below).

2) Customize the alarm and call provider settings for your patient. 

3) NOTE: the telemetry set automatically discontinues daily, so you need to re order the order set if you want to keep your patient on telemetry. 

To Remove Telemetry 

1) Change ADT order (From Telemetry to Medicine).

2) Put in Nursing text order (Order #99) (Please discontinue telemetry). 

Telemetry Education PPT

Class 1 (Recommended; beneficial) 

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome 

  • CVA (suspected or confirmed) 

  • Acute CHF exacerbation 

  • New AFib or AFlutter requiring initiation of new anti-arrhythmic 

  • Symptomatic Bradycardia 

  • 2nd/3rd degree AV Block

  • Cardiogenic Syncope 

  • Severe electrolyte derangements (K+ or Mg+)

  • Post-MI with revascularization 

  • Vasospastic Angina (Prinzmetal)

  • Drug overdose with potential cardiac toxicity

  • Post V.Tach/V.Fib or ICD shock requiring admission 

Class 2 (Reasonable; may be of benefit) 

  • ACS Rule out

  • Complicated alcohol withdrwal

  • Acute medical condition causing symptomatic ventricular 

  • Non sustained V.Tach

  • Infective Endocarditis (until clinically stable)

  • Post-conscious sedation

  • Post-major thoracic surgery

  • Post complicated PCI 

Class 3 (Not Recommended, no benefit, may be harmful)

  • Chest pain at low risk for ACS (negative biomarkers and normal EKG)

  • Post routine coronary angiopgraphy with non-urgent uncomplicated PCI 

  • Chronic Atrial fibrillation, rate controlled 

  • Asympomatic sinus bradycardia 

  • Ventriculary paced rhythm 

  • Uncomplicated alcohol withdrawal

  • Post-noncardiac surgery 

Critical Care 

  • Patients in ICU

  • Targeted temperature management 

  • Post EP/Cardiac Surgery 

Contact

Washington DC VAMC

50 Irving St NW

Washington, DC 20422

Phone: 202-745-8000

Email: dcvamcchiefs@gmail.com 

© 2025

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