Aspects of Green Hospital Approaches with a Focus on Developing ...

ECG. The ECG is a kind <strong>of</strong> oscilloscope, connected to the patient <strong>with</strong> at least four
leads. By this it is possible to measure and display the hearts stimulus conduction, as
seen in Figure 3 ECG monitor <strong>with</strong> heart rate and pulse oxymetry [5]. This data allows
conclusions about the heart activity (heart rate and heart rhythm <strong>with</strong> four leads, electrical
axis <strong>with</strong> at least six leads). Furthermore it is a precise and real time measurement <strong>of</strong>
the activities <strong>of</strong> the heart, which most <strong>of</strong> all is inexpensive in non invasive.
During an operation it is very important to monitor the ECG due to recognize any
change in the patient’s status. So, the heart reacts to several stages <strong>of</strong> shock, e.g. like
hypovolemic shock caused by an inner injury, before these can be noticed by the surgeon.
According to [6], displaying an ECG during an anesthesia is unavoidable to control
the patient’s circulatory function. Here also is stated, that the blood pressure and heart
Figure 3: ECG monitor <strong>with</strong> heart rate and pulse oxymetry [5]
rate should be determined every 5 minutes. Changes in the blood pressure also indicate
a leakage <strong>of</strong> the circulatory system or other systemic situations, as reactions to medication
(e.g. vaso-dilating drugs).
Here also apply the special requirements <strong>of</strong> a minimally equipped operating room. Especially
the independence from electrical supply is really important in our case. Again,
modern emergency devices are the equipment <strong>of</strong> choice. The devices are specially designed
for emergency services all over the world. They are reliable, robust and independent
<strong>of</strong> an electrical supply. Additionally they combine some functions in one unit. For
example pr<strong>of</strong>essional emergency defibrillators <strong>with</strong> the ability to measure ECG, blood
pressure, oxygen saturation and heart rate are available. In addition one has the possibility
(<strong>with</strong> some devices) <strong>of</strong> an extracorporeal pacemaker (Figure 4). Usually engineered
for just short periods <strong>of</strong> time, e.g. the transport <strong>of</strong> a patient from the operating room to
the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) or a flight in an rescue helicopter from the accident
site to the emergency room, its batteries last up to 3.5 hours [7], depending on the usage
(less if using the defibrillator).
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