2025 Volume 40 Issue 3 Pages 586-593
Objective: We listed the high-risk electrocardiographic findings (judgment criteria) specific to medical checkup centers and integrated them into our daily practice. After one year, we aimed to verify the efficacy of the criteria.
Methods: In total, 20,864 participants (10,680 men and 10,184 women) were included in this study. They visited JA Medical Checkup Center Sagamihara for health checkups, and each participant underwent an electrocardiogram between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024. Clinical laboratory technicians examined the electrocardiograms based on the judgment criteria. When high-risk findings were detected, physicians were asked to evaluate the risk of performing gastrointestinal radiography and pulmonary function tests.
Results: A total of 300 checks were conducted, accounting for 1.4% of the annual electrocardiographic tests performed (20,864). A detailed examination was required for 129 electrocardiograms (43.0%). Upper gastrointestinal series and pulmonary function tests were canceled for 30 (10.0%) and 11 (3.7%) patients, respectively. The cancellation rates for the total number of electrocardiogram tests were 0.14% and 0.05%, respectively. The reasons for physician consultation were as follows: frequent premature ventricular contractions (n=98, 31.6%), electrocardiographic findings that posed challenges for the person-in-charge in making judgments (n=83, 26.8%), electrocardiographic findings suggestive of acute myocardial infarction (n=51, 16.5%), and new cases of atrial fibrillation (n=31, 10.0%). Improvements in customer service, development of technicians' diagnostic abilities, and employee satisfaction were obtained in conjunction with the accompanying efficacy.
Conclusion: The judgment criteria had several positive impacts on medical safety and daily practice.
