Updated Practice Standards for ECG Monitoring: Impact at the Bedside

Kristin Sandau, PhD, RN, CNE, FAHA

Kristin E. Sandau has been a professor of nursing at Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota, and a cardiovascular nurse at United Hospital, Allina Health for over 25 years. Sandau (chair), along with Marjorie Funk (Yale University, co-chair), led an expert team to author the “Update to Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings.” This 2017 Scientific Statement, commissioned by the American Heart Association, was endorsed by the American College of Cardiology, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society. Sandau's research on ECG monitoring focuses on translation of evidence in the clinical setting. Her publications and presentations have addressed the practical use of ST-segment monitoring in progressive care. She was a site investigator for the PULSE Trial, an NHLBI-funded study with Primary Investigators Marge Funk. Sandau has focused on joint research with colleagues Funk, Drew and Sendelbach, including a multisite study to increase adherence to QTc monitoring for patients on QT prolonging medications. Sandau values her role on an interprofessional team to translate and implement best evidence for ECG monitoring, including use of education and electronic order sets for arrhythmia and QTc monitoring in the multisite Allina system. She enjoys sharing her love of ECG monitoring with undergraduate and graduate students.