ABSTRACT
The A&E physician will see many patients during a single shift of duty. There are certain investigations that can be performed that aid either in diagnosis or in treatment of the patient. The result of the investigation should be available within an hour if it is to be useful in patient management. Rhythm strip interpretation is a skill that the A&E physician needs to acquire. Remember that the strip should be used to comment on cardiac rhythm alone. Cardiac rhythm strips and 12-lead electrocardiograms can be performed quickly. Together with blood gas results these investigations cause the majority of difficulties with data interpretation in the A&E department. The emergency physician should usually only order investigations when he or she can act upon the result. If he or she orders other investigations, for example as courtesy to an admitting team, he or she should ensure that an identified person will locate the result and take any necessary action.
