The attaching
of the electrodes to the ankles is done because a pulse is present in this vicinity, it can also be done on the top of the foot itself if one can't be found on the ankle, for example if a patient has cellulitis in that area or is overweight. The reason for the multitude of electrodes in the frist place is to determine where, if anywhere, a problem has developed in the heart (i.e. it's exact location on said organ - atria, ventricle electrical impulse nodes etc.). The thing with tissue paper is a bit new to me, might have been hospital/ward policy to preserve privacy and dignity as far as possible, but, as you point out, the electrodes are in such a poition that it makes this measure practially meaningless.
( Funkenschlag still likes dogs more than cats, Tue 11 May 2010, 13:15, Reply)