Portable Internet ECG Recording Systems

QUESTION: Is an Internet-enabled ECG recording system (iECG) useful?

METHODS: 24 individuals with risk of cardiovascular disease were monitored. The subjects sent ECG recordings over the Internet to their physician.

RESULTS: Only 21/24 subjects were able to send their ECG recordings over the Internet. A total of 504 ECG recordings were obtained using the iECG. No adverse cardiovascular events were observed. A survey of the subjects showed a 68% satisfaction rate.

CONCLUSION: The iECG may prove to be a useful tool for monitoring cardiovascular health in workers residing abroad.

J Occup Health. 2014 Sep 17

Antibiotic Time-outs

This study was a before and after study. The authors compared antibiotic use before and after a bi-weekly "time out" session during which residents reviewed antibiotic use among their in-patients. Not surprisingly, they found that their intervention worked.


COMMENT: this is a classic case of the Hawthorne Bias. Am surprised at how sloppy this research was, yet got published in a top medical research journal. SHAME ! 


Antibiotic Self-stewardship: Trainee-Led Structured Antibiotic Time-outs to Improve Antimicrobial Use.