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Stopyra JP, Snavely AC, Ashburn NP, Supples MW, Brown WM, Miller CD, Mahler SA. Rural EMS STEMI Patients - Why the Delay to PCI? PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38235978 PMCID: PMC11255126 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2024.2305967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study is to identify patient and EMS agency factors associated with timely reperfusion of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS We conducted a cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years old) with STEMI activations from 2016 to 2020. Data was obtained from a regional STEMI registry, which included eight rural county EMS agencies and three North Carolina percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers. On each patient, prehospital and in-hospital time intervals were abstracted. The primary outcome was the ability to achieve the 90-minute EMS FMC to PCI time goal (yes vs. no). We used generalized estimating equations accounting for within-agency clustering to evaluate the association between patient and agency factors and meeting first medical contact (FMC) to PCI time goal while accounting for clustering within the agency. RESULTS Among 365 rural STEMI patients 30.1% were female (110/365) with a mean age of 62.5 ± 12.7 years. PCI was performed within the time goal in 60.5% (221/365) of encounters. The FMC to PCI time goal was met in 45.5% (50/110) of women vs 69.8% (178/255) of men (p < 0.001). The median PCI center activation time was 12 min (IQR 7-19) in the group that received PCI within the time goal compared to 21 min (IQR 10-37) in the cohort that did not. After adjusting for loaded mileage and other clinical variables (e.g., pulse rate, hypertension etc.), the male sex was associated with an improved chance of meeting the goal of FMC to PCI (aOR: 2.94; 95% CI 2.11-4.10) compared to the female sex. CONCLUSION Nearly 40% of rural STEMI patients transported by EMS failed to receive FMC to PCI within 90 min. Women were less likely than men to receive reperfusion within the time goal, which represents an important health care disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason P. Stopyra
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Anna C. Snavely
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Nicklaus P. Ashburn
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Michael W. Supples
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - W. Mark Brown
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Chadwick D. Miller
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Simon A. Mahler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
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Stopyra JP, Snavely AC, Ashburn NP, Supples MW, Miller CD, Mahler SA. Delayed first medical contact to reperfusion time increases mortality in rural emergency medical services patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Acad Emerg Med 2023; 30:1101-1109. [PMID: 37567785 PMCID: PMC10830062 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) guidelines recommend an emergency medical services (EMS) first medical contact (FMC) to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) time of ≤90 min. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between FMC to PCI time and mortality in rural STEMI patients. METHODS We conducted a cohort study of patients ≥18 years old with STEMI activations from January 2016 to March 2020. Data were obtained from a rural North Carolina Regional STEMI Data Registry, which included eight rural EMS agencies and three PCI centers, the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, and the EMS electronic health record. Prehospital and in-hospital time intervals were digitally abstracted. The outcome of index hospitalization mortality was compared between patients who did and did not meet FMC to PCI time goal using Fisher's exact tests. Negative predictive value (NPV) for index hospitalization death was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed and an optimal FMC to PCI time goal was identified by maximizing NPV to prevent index hospitalization death. RESULTS Among 365 rural EMS STEMI patients, 30.1% (110/365) were female with a mean ± SD age of 62.5 ± 12.7 years. PCI was performed within the 90-min time goal in 60.5% (221/365) of patients. Among these patients, 3% (11/365) died during initial STEMI hospitalization, with 1.4% (3/221) mortality in the group that met the 90-minute time goal compared to 5.6% (8/144) in patients exceeding the time goal (p = 0.03). Meeting the 90-min time goal yielded a 98.6% (95% CI 96.1%-99.7%) NPV for index death. A 78-min FMC to PCI time was the optimal cut point, yielding a NPV for index mortality of 99.3% (95% CI 96.1%-100%). CONCLUSIONS Death among rural patients with STEMI was four times more likely when they did not receive PCI within 90 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason P. Stopyra
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anna C. Snavely
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nicklaus P. Ashburn
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Section on Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael W. Supples
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Chadwick D. Miller
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Simon A. Mahler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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French WJ, Gunderson M, Travis D, Bieniarz M, Zegre‐Hemsey J, Goyal A, Jacobs AK. Emergency Interhospital Transfer of Patients With ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Call 9‐1‐1—The American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline Program. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e026700. [DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.026700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT: The American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline program objectives are to improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Every minute of delay in treatment adversely affects 1‐year mortality. Transfer of patients safely and timely to hospitals with primary percutaneous coronary intervention capability is needed to improve outcomes. But treatment times continue to show delays, especially during interhospital transfers. A simple 3‐step process of an interhospital “Call 9‐1‐1” protocol may expedite this process. This STAT TRANSFER process uses a systems approach that considers diverse ways in which patients access care, how EMS responds and determines destinations, how referring hospital transfers are performed, urban and rural differences, and how receiving hospitals prepare for an incoming patient with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction. This initiative suggests a strategy to reduce variability in interhospital transfer times using a STAT TRANSFER and a Call 9‐1‐1 process in a system of care that involves all stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. French
- Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Harbor‐UCLA Medical Center Torrance CA
| | - Mic Gunderson
- Center for Systems Improvement, Cambridge Consulting Group; Emergency Health Services University of Maryland Baltimore County MD
| | - David Travis
- EMS Programs Hillsborough Community College Tampa FL
| | - Mark Bieniarz
- New Mexico Heart Institute Lovelace Medical Center Albuquerque NM
| | - Jessica Zegre‐Hemsey
- School of Nursing; Department of Emergency Medicine The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NC
| | - Abhinav Goyal
- Emory Heart and Vascular Center, Emory Healthcare; Medicine (Cardiology) Emory School of Medicine; Emory Rollins School of Public Health Atlanta GA
| | - Alice K. Jacobs
- Department of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center Boston MA
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Lim K, Moon H, Park JS, Cho YR, Park K, Park TH, Kim MH, Kim YD. The Busan Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center Project��s Experience Over a Decade in the Treatment of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. J Prev Med Public Health 2022; 55:351-359. [PMID: 35940190 PMCID: PMC9371786 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.22.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center (RCCVC) project was initiated to improve clinical outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction or stroke in non-capital areas of Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and issues identified by the Busan RCCVC project in the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods Among the patients who were registered in the Korean Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction for the RCCVC project between 2007 and 2019, those who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI at the Busan RCCVC were selected, and their medical data were compared with a historical cohort. Results In total, 1161 patients were selected for the analysis. Ten years after the implementation of the Busan RCCVC project, the median door-to-balloon time was reduced from 86 (interquartile range [IQR], 64–116) to 54 (IQR, 44–61) minutes, and the median symptom-to-balloon time was reduced from 256 (IQR, 180–407) to 189 (IQR, 118–305) minutes (p<0.001). Inversely, the false-positive PCI team activation rate increased from 0.6% to 21.4% (p<0.001). However, the 1-year cardiovascular death and major adverse cardiac event rates did not change. Even after 10 years, approximately 75% of the patients had a symptom-to-balloon time over 120 minutes, and approximately 50% of the patients underwent inter-hospital transfer for primary PCI. Conclusions A decade after the implementation of the Busan RCCVC project, although time parameters for early reperfusion therapy for STEMI improved, at the cost of an increased false-positive PCI team activation rate, survival outcomes were unchanged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyunghee Lim
- Department of Cardiology, Busan Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan,
Korea
| | - Hyeyeon Moon
- Department of Endocrinology, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan,
Korea
| | - Jong Sung Park
- Department of Cardiology, Busan Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan,
Korea
| | - Young-Rak Cho
- Department of Cardiology, Busan Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan,
Korea
| | - Kyungil Park
- Department of Cardiology, Busan Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan,
Korea
| | - Tae-Ho Park
- Department of Cardiology, Busan Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan,
Korea
| | - Moo-Hyun Kim
- Department of Cardiology, Busan Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan,
Korea
| | - Young-Dae Kim
- Department of Cardiology, Busan Regional CardioCerebroVascular Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan,
Korea
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Afzali F, Jahani Y, Bagheri F, Khajouei R. The impact of the emergency medical services (EMS) automation system on patient care process and user workflow. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2021; 21:292. [PMID: 34696759 PMCID: PMC8543780 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-021-01658-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the important components of the health system is the emergency medical services (EMS) system. The EMS system was implemented at Kerman University of Medical Sciences teaching hospitals to communicate the situation of patients being transferred to the hospital by EMS and to provide facilities tailored to the patient's condition. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the EMS system on the patient care process and the workflow of users. Methods The hospital information system (HIS) report was used to investigate the impact of the EMS system on the patient care process and a questionnaire was distributed among 244 participants to determine its impact on the workflow of the users. Mann–Whitney U was used to analyze HIS reports, and Chi-square was used to analyze the data collected by questionnaires. Results The EMS system reduced the patient's stay in hospital by an average of 3 h and 45 min. It also increased the number of patients' discharge from the emergency room to 2.2% and reduced the death rate by 1.3% (p < 0.001). Besides, 78% of physicians, 75% of nurses and 83% of technicians stated that this system has positively influenced their workflow. Conclusions The EMS system reduced the patient's stay in hospital and mortality, and increased the speed of patient service, readiness of users to provide patient care and the number of discharged patients. However, problems such as inappropriate technical infrastructure of the EMS system should be solved to improve patients' recovery, reduce mortality and improve user satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Afzali
- Department of Health Information Sciences, Faculty of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Yunes Jahani
- Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Bagheri
- Department of Health Information Sciences, Faculty of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Reza Khajouei
- Department of Health Information Sciences, Faculty of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Tiu J, Watson T, Clissold B. Mechanical thrombectomy for emergent large vessel occlusion: an Australian primary stroke centre workflow analysis. Intern Med J 2021; 51:905-909. [PMID: 32266746 DOI: 10.1111/imj.14843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Time to successful reperfusion is a critical prognostic factor for acute ischaemic stroke. Mechanical thrombectomy has become the gold standard treatment for emergent large vessel occlusion stroke. The timely delivery of this highly specialised procedure to patients outside of metropolitan centres presents a dilemma of inequity, with limited workflow data hindering benchmarking and service optimisation. AIMS To analyse key stroke treatment time parameters from a primary stroke centre existing in a regional centre within a hub-and-spoke delivery model in Victoria, Australia. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of patients transferred from a regional primary stroke centre to a metropolitan comprehensive stroke centre for mechanical thrombectomy between July 2016 and December 2018. Time workflow analysis was conducted from symptom onset to primary stroke centre departure. RESULTS A total of 55 patients was included in this study with an average age of 70.2 years. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission was 13 (interquartile range (IQR) 7-17). Median pre-hospital time was 68 min (IQR 56-137) and median door-in-door-out time was 120.5 min (IQR 98-150), constituting 36.1% and 63.9% of total median time from symptom onset to primary stroke centre departure (188.5 min) respectively. There were no significant differences across observed cohort characteristics under linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION Protracted pre-hospital and primary stroke centre workflow times can delay effective treatment for patients with acute ischaemic stroke in regional areas. A systems-level approach to streamlining processes in these key areas is required to bridge this inequity in best practice care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeigh Tiu
- Department of Medicine, Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tayler Watson
- Department of Medicine, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Clissold
- Department of Neurology, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Chambers D, Cantrell A, Baxter SK, Turner J, Booth A. Effects of increased distance to urgent and emergency care facilities resulting from health services reconfiguration: a systematic review. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr08310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundService reconfigurations sometimes increase travel time and/or distance for patients to reach their nearest hospital or other urgent and emergency care facility. Many communities value their local services and perceive that proposed changes could worsen outcomes for patients.ObjectivesTo identify, appraise and synthesise existing research evidence regarding the outcomes and impacts of service reconfigurations that increase the time and/or distance for patients to reach an urgent and emergency care facility. We also aimed to examine the available evidence regarding associations between distance to a facility and outcomes for patients and health services, together with factors that may influence (moderate or mediate) these associations.Data sourcesWe searched seven bibliographic databases in February 2019. The search was supplemented by citation-tracking and reference list checking. A separate search was conducted to identify the current systematic reviews of telehealth to support urgent and emergency care.MethodsBrief inclusion and exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) population – adults or children with conditions that required emergency treatment; (2) intervention/comparison – studies comparing outcomes before and after a service reconfiguration, which affects the time/distance to urgent and emergency care or comparing outcomes in groups of people travelling different distances to access urgent and emergency care; (3) outcomes – any patient or health system outcome; (4) setting – the UK and other developed countries with relevant health-care systems; and (5) study design – any. The search results were screened against the inclusion criteria by one reviewer, with a 10% sample screened by a second reviewer. A quality (risk-of-bias) assessment was undertaken using The Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies. We performed a narrative synthesis of the included studies and assessed the overall strength of evidence using a previously published method.ResultsWe included 44 studies in the review, of which eight originated from the UK. For studies of general urgent and emergency care populations, there was no evidence that reconfiguration that resulted in increased travel time/distance affected mortality rates. By contrast, evidence of increased risk was identified from studies restricted to patients with acute myocardial infarction. Increases in mortality risk were most obvious within the first 1–4 years after reconfiguration. Evidence for other conditions was inconsistent or very limited. In the absence of reconfiguration, evidence mainly from cohort studies indicated that increased travel time or distance is associated with increased mortality risk for the acute myocardial infarction and trauma populations, whereas for obstetric emergencies the evidence was inconsistent. We included 12 systematic reviews of telehealth. Meta-analyses suggested that telehealth technologies can reduce time to treatment for people with stroke and ST elevation myocardial infarction.LimitationsMost studies came from non-UK settings and many were at high risk of bias because there was no true control group. Most review processes were carried out by a single reviewer within a constrained time frame.ConclusionsWe found no evidence that increased distance increases mortality risk for the general population of people requiring urgent and emergency care, although this may not be true for people with acute myocardial infarction or trauma. Increases in mortality risk were most likely in the first few years after reconfiguration.Future workResearch is needed to better understand how health systems plan for and adapt to increases in travel time, to quantify impacts on health system outcomes, and to address the uncertainty about how risk increases with distance in circumstances relevant to UK settings.Study registrationThis study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42019123061.FundingThis project was funded by the NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full inHealth Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 8, No. 31. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Chambers
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anna Cantrell
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Susan K Baxter
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Janette Turner
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Andrew Booth
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Edwards KH, FitzGerald G, Franklin RC, Edwards MT. Air ambulance outcome measures using Institutes of Medicine and Donabedian quality frameworks: protocol for a systematic scoping review. Syst Rev 2020; 9:72. [PMID: 32241304 PMCID: PMC7118977 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-020-01316-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dedicated air ambulance services provide a vital link for critically ill and injured patients to higher levels of care. The recent developments of pre-hospital and retrieval medicine create an opportunity for air ambulance providers and policy-makers to utilize a dashboard of quality performance measures to assess service performance. The objective of this scoping systematic review will be to identify and evaluate the range of air ambulance outcome measures reported in the literature and help to construct a quality dashboard based on a healthcare quality framework. METHODS We will search PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (from January 2001 onwards). Complementary searches will be conducted in selected relevant journals. We will include systematic reviews and observational studies (cohort, cross-sectional, interrupted time series) in critically ill or injured patients published in English and focusing on air ambulance delivery and quality measures. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using appropriate tools. Analysis of the characteristics associated with outcome measure will be mapped and described according to the proposed healthcare quality framework. DISCUSSION This review will contribute to the development of an air ambulance quality dashboard designed to combine multiple quality frameworks. Our findings will provide a basis for helping decision-making in health planning and policy. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42019144652.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin H Edwards
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Gerard FitzGerald
- Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Richard C Franklin
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark Terrell Edwards
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- LifeFlight Retrieval Medicine Australia, Edward Street, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Queensland Health, Emergency Medicine Department Rockhampton, Rockhampton Base Hospital, Canning Street, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
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Langabeer JR, Smith DT, Cardenas-Turanzas M, Leonard BL, Segrest W, Krell C, Owan T, Eisenhauer MD, Gerard D. Impact of a Rural Regional Myocardial Infarction System of Care in Wyoming. J Am Heart Assoc 2016; 5:JAHA.116.003392. [PMID: 27207968 PMCID: PMC4889203 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.003392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred reperfusion strategy for patients presenting with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction; however, to be effective, PCI must be performed in a timely manner. Rural regions are at a severe disadvantage, given the relatively sparse number of PCI hospitals and long transport times. Methods and Results We developed a standardized treatment and transfer protocol for ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction in the rural state of Wyoming. The study design compared the time‐to‐treatment outcomes during the pre‐ and postintervention periods. Details of the program, changes in reperfusion strategies over time, and outcome improvements in treatment times were reported. From January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014, 889 patients were treated in 11 PCI‐capable hospitals (4 in Wyoming, 7 in adjoining states). Given the large geographic distance in the state (median of 47 miles between patient and PCI center), 52% of all patients were transfers, and 36% were administered fibrinolysis at the referral facility. Following the intervention, there was a significant shift toward greater use of primary PCI as the dominant reperfusion strategy (from 47% to 60%, P=0.002), and the median total ischemic time from symptom onset to arterial reperfusion was decreased by 92 minutes (P<0.001). There was a similar significant reduction in median time from receiving center door to balloon of 11 minutes less than the baseline time (P<0.01). Conclusions Rural systems of care for ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction require increased levels of cooperation between emergency medical services agencies and hospitals. This study confirms that total ischemic times can be reduced through a coordinated rural statewide initiative.
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