Temporary Pacemaker Troubleshooting

A temporary pacemaker is used in emergency situations to regulate a patient's heartbeat. It is most often used in the treatment of bradycardia, i.e., an abnormally slow pulse, before a permanent pacemaker is placed. Ensuring that a temporary pacemaker is functioning properly can be a matter of life and death. Improper pacing or a faulty reading on the electrocardiogram, or EKG, can result in permanent damage or improper treatment. Troubleshooting can forestall these complications.

Things You'll Need

• Temporary pacemaker
• Replacement batteries

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Instructions

• 1

  Replace the batteries if the EKG is not showing any spikes. This often means that the batteries have died, as they need to replaced every two to three days. Also check electrical connections to make sure they are secure.

• 2

  Turn down the sensitivity dial if the EKG does not show any spikes after the batteries have been replaced. This often means the pacemaker is "oversensing" -- that is, the pacemaker is reading multiple muscle movements throughout the body even though it should only be reading heart rhythm.

• 3

  Reposition the patient if the temporary pacemaker does not capture the heart rhythm. If this does not work, increase the pacing output of the pacemaker.

• 4

  Lower the sensitivity of the pacemaker if the EKG shows random spikes. This is sometimes the result of undersensing.

• 5

  Watch for an infection if a patient has a transvenous pacer placed in his body. According to AmyAnderan.com, antibiotic prophylaxis can be administered to the patient to fight the infection.

• 6

  Check the patient for physiological changes due to drug interaction or other ailments if the EKG is not showing the QRS complex. According to AmyAnderan.com, ailments such as hypercapnia, hyperglycemia, hypoxia and alkalosis can impede the EKG's ability to show the QRS complex. Remedying the physical ailment will resolve this problem.

• 7

  Stay away from items with strong magnetic fields as they can adversely affect the way temporary pacemakers operate. Such items includes major household appliances such as refrigerators and dish washers, microwaves, radios and televisions.