Annual Arrhythmia competency testing

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Just curious if an arrhythmia test is a part of your institutions annual competencies? Do you think this is an appropriate competency if the patients are monitored by the RNs and not monitor techs?

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No, not part of our annual competency.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Of course it's appropriate if rhythm recognition is one of your required job duties.

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maybe not part of annual competencies - but of ACLS

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If your job requires you to know EKGs then yes. If it is a monitored unit for example. But if it is a Med Surg.Ortho etc floor, I think that not doing something everyday makes it harder to remember.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

ACLS recertification does not require you to know rhythm interpretation to pass. It only requires that you recognize fatal rhythms (Vtach, Vfib, Asystole). They do cover heart blocks, afib, aflutter, etc during lecture, but they do not adequately test on it.

I think arrhythmia interpretation should definitely be required for all RNs (and monitor techs) in an environment where it is a part of your job duties.

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Specializes in CCRN.

Yes and absolutely

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