Speed and accuracy of text-messaging emergency department electrocardiograms from a small community hospital to a provincial referral center.

Background: Currently, transmission of electrocardiograms (EKGs) from a small emergency department (ED) to specialists at referral hospitals can be a time-consuming and laborious process. We investigate whether text messaging by use of short message service (SMS) of EKGs from a small hospital to consultants at a large hospital is rapid and accurate.

Methods: This study involved a one-month prospective evaluation of consecutive EKGs recorded in a small community ED.