In one aspect, a physical shielding system includes one or more shield components to protect a first ECG electrical connection and a second ECG electrical connection from objects. The first ECG electrical connection is formed between a connector of an ECG lead set and an adapter and the second ECG electrical connection is formed between the adapter and an ECG monitor. In another aspect, an ECG adapter system includes an ECG adapter. The ECG adapter includes a first interface configured to directly couple with a connector of an ECG lead set to form a first ECG electrical connection, a second interface configured to directly couple with an ECG monitor to form a second ECG electrical connection and a shield disposed around the adapter that includes a first opening configured to allow the connector to couple with the adapter and to shield the first ECG electrical connection from objects and a second opening configured to allow the ECG monitor to couple with the adapter and to shield the second ECG electrical connection from objects.