PhEDECs™ – level 2
12-lead ECG acquisition and interpretation is a fundamental part of effective emergency medical care and a professional requirement for both prehospital and emergency department staff.
PhEDECs™ comprises three levels, reflective of the three levels of practice seen in prehospital and in-hospital emergency medicine. The course content is mapped to HCPC (Paramedics) and NMC (Nursing) Standards of Proficiency, as well as the RCEM EM Trainee and EC-ACP curricula.
PhEDECs™ syllabus (full)





Course overview
Faculty

Silas Houghton Budd DipECG
Specialist paramedic (critical care)

Jamie Webb
Specialist paramedic
(urgent and emergency care)

Ryan Murray
Ambulance paramedic
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Aim
The aim of PhEDECs™ level 2 is to ensure learners are be able to
recognise common ECG patterns, critically evaluate them in the
context of their clinical presentation and provide appropriate
patient care.
Entry criteria
PhEDECs™ level 2 is aimed at clinicians fulfilling levels 5–6 on the
Skills for Health Career Framework. Examples include:
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Prehospital
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Band 6 Paramedic
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In-hospital
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Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner
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Band 6 Nurse
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EM ST1–3 Doctor
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Please note: completion of level 1 (or similar course) is a prerequisite
to level 2 as the fundamental concepts will not be revisited.
Learning outcomes
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Analyse ECG findings in relation to the clinical context (pre- and post- test probability)
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Critically evaluate ECG patterns: sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV
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Understand anatomical variants and critically evaluate their impact on ECG interpretation
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Understand correct electrode placement and critically evaluate the use of non-standard ECG leads: posterior and right-sided
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Calculate QT interval using Bazett's formula and critically review the use of the QT nomogram
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Calculate the cardiac axis
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Identify sinus arrhythmia and critically review its clinical presentation
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Identify VT and critically review its clinical presentation
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Analyse the common ECG findings associated with VT
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Identify AF and critically review its clinical presentation
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Identify atrial flutter and critically review its clinical presentation
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Identify AVNRT and critically review its clinical presentation
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Identify SSS and critically review its clinical presentation
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Identify escape rhythms and critically review their clinical presentation
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Identify ventricular standstill and critically review its clinical presentation
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Identify fascicular blocks and critically review their clinical presentation: unifascicular, bifascicular, 'incomplete trifascicular',
and trifascicular -
Identify OMI and critically review its clinical presentation
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Critically evaluate the ECG findings associated with OMI: Q waves, STE, OMI changes
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Critically review the Sgarbossa and Smith-modified Sgarbossa criteria
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Identify ventricular hypertrophy and critically review its clinical presentation
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Identify pericarditis and critically review its clinical presentation
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Identify massive PE and critically review its clinical presentation
Duration
One day (eight hours)
Certification / accreditation / endorsement
Certified by PREMED. CPD certificate upon completion of the course.
Location
Canterbury, Kent.
Disclaimer
Please note: PhEDECs™ does not qualify the learner to provide interventions
outside the scope of practice set by their employer and/or regulatory body.