ObjectiveTo find out the influencing factors of electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor configuration decision in surgical nursing units and form a scientific configuration standard, so as to provide a basis for the reasonable configuration of ECG monitors.MethodsFrom May to June 2018, the indexes and weights affecting the configuration of ECG monitors in surgical nursing units of a large public hospital were determined by interview survey method and analytic hierarchy process.ResultsThe influencing factors for configuration of ECG monitors in surgical nursing units were the number of operations, number of rescues, number of emergencies, number of deaths, and number of patients transferred to and out of intensive care unit, and the weights were 0.459 7, 0.224 9, 0.155 3, 0.111 2, and 0.049 0, respectively. The classification of nursing units was taken as plan, and the configuration standard of ECG monitors was established.ConclusionThe configuration model of ECG monitors in surgical nursing units based on analytic hierarchy process realizes the combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis, which provides scientific and reasonable reference for the configuration of ECG monitors.