Automatic surveillance of heart rate and rhythm and T wave contour: The concept of automatic monitoring of large numbers of patients☆

Abstract New instrumentation has been developed that is capable of automatic electrocardiographic monitoring and of signaling alarms on deviations from pre-set standards for heart rate and rhythm and T wave contour. The development represents a first step toward the automatic monitoring of many patients simultaneously and continuously on the general floor of a hospital without the limiting conventional oscilloscopic surveillance required today. Application of this concept will extend some of the benefits of coronary care units to a larger patient population.