Duration: 2 weeks
Format: Self-directed with clinical integration
Mentor: Liz Fierro, MD
Location: LLUMC Emergency Department/Asynchronous
The Basic EKG Elective is a two-week self-guided experience designed to build foundational skills in EKG interpretation for first-year emergency medicine residents. Through a structured combination of hands-on clinical practice, online modules, and real-world case reading, residents will gain confidence in recognizing key cardiac rhythms, ischemic changes, and EKG-based clinical decision-making in the ED setting.
Week 1
Shadow ED techs and perform 10 EKGs
Part 1 of Mattu & Brady: ECGs for the Emergency Physician 1: EKGs #1-50
Foundations
Unit 0: How to Read an ECG
Unit 1: Approach to Ischemia: STEMIs
Unit 2: Approach to Ischemia: Ischemia Mimics
Unit 3: Approach to Syncope
Week 2
Provide first reads on ED EKGs with attending supervision, obtain initials for EKGs labeled 1-10.
Part 1 of Mattu & Brady: EKGs #51-100
Foundations
Unit 4: Approach to Bradyarrhythmias
Unit 5: Approach to Tachyarrhythmias: Narrow Complex
Unit 6: Approach to Tachyarrhythmias: Wide Complex
Take ALiEMU Bridge to EM ECG Quiz
Develop a systematic approach to interpreting 12-lead ECGs
Recognize common dysrhythmias and ST-segment abnormalities
Apply EKG findings to real-time ED patient care
Build fluency in identifying high-risk presentations using structured and case-based tools
By the end of the elective, residents will be able to:
Use a systematic approach to interpret rate, rhythm, axis, intervals, and waveform morphology
Identify normal and abnormal rhythms including AFib, SVT, VT, and AV blocks
Recognize ischemic patterns including STEMI, NSTEMI, and mimics like early repolarization and pericarditis
Interpret ECG abnormalities related to hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, and other emergencies
Analyze high-risk ED cases from Part 1 of Amal Mattu & William Brady’s ECGs for the Emergency Physician, Vol. 1
Perform accurate ECG acquisition and troubleshoot lead misplacement
Integrate structured learning (via Foundations of EM ECG I course) with case-based reasoning
Complete a multiple-choice assessment demonstrating mastery of core content
Residents must complete the following during the 2-week elective:
Reading
Complete Part 1 of ECGs for the Emergency Physician, Vol. 1 by Amal Mattu & William Brady
Book available in EM residency library
Online Learning
Complete the Foundations of EM ECG Course I
6 structured units
Optional challenge ECGs
Assessment
Complete the ALiEMU Bridge to EM ECG Quiz
Score ≥80% required; retake allowed
Screenshot or confirmation required
Clinical Practice
Perform at least 10 EKGs with ED tech supervision.
May be completed in one or more days
Interpret at least 10 EKGs under attending supervision
Sample tracking log
Preferably over two or more days.
Please be sure to rotate attendings.
Residents will submit a completion form at the end of the elective that includes:
Attestation of required tasks
EKG interpretation logs with attending initials
Quiz completion screenshot
Submit your form here: https://forms.gle/aF2QxD1qMsXzTmw97
Textbook: Amal Mattu & William Brady – ECGs for the Emergency Physician, Vol. 1
Online Courses: Foundations of Emergency Medicine – ECG Course I
https://www.foundationsem.com/ekg-courses/
Final Quiz: ALiEMU – Bridge to EM ECG Quiz
https://aliemu.com/courses/bridge-to-em-ecg-interpretation/
Optional Tools for On-Shift Review
EMRA EKG Guide (EM library)
Life in the Fast Lane ECG Library – https://litfl.com/ecg-library/