Critical pathways in cardiology
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Evidence-based guidelines call for advanced and definitive therapy for patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). It is not known whether these guidelines are follow more diligently when patients arrive in the ED during regular hours, during which hospital resources including cardiology consultation may be more readily available. To determine whether patients with NSTEMI who present to the ED outside of usual hours have prolonged times to advanced and definitive therapy and poorer short-term outcomes. ⋯ Despite these differences, in-hospital outcomes were similar. Time of patient presentation has a modest impact on the timeliness of intervention in NSTEMI but was not associated with lower mortality. Although intensity of medical management was similar between groups, it was generally lower than current guidelines recommend, indicating potential for improvement in NSTEMI outcomes, regardless of time of presentation.
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Although treatment guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have been published and widely accepted, barriers to the optimal management of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) still exist. Adherence to guidelines has been correlated with improvements in patient outcomes in ACS, including reduced mortality, yet data demonstrate that 25% of opportunities to provide guideline-recommended care are missed. This article describes a performance improvement (PI) initiative designed to address gaps in process-related ACS care and improve patient outcomes. ⋯ In this ACS PI initiative, physicians will assess their practice using performance measures defined by the 2007 ACC/AHA ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction guideline updates within 3 general benchmark areas: (1) patient risk assessment, (2) initial pharmacologic management, and (3) time-to-treatment (ie, "door-to-needle," "door-to-balloon," and "door-in-door-out" times). After completing a self-assessment and identifying 1 or more areas of improvement, participants can complete educational interventions and access benchmark-specific tools that provide guidance on improving adherence with the ACC/AHA guidelines. This PI initiative supplements other ongoing quality improvement initiatives in ACS, but is unique in that it is the first to use individual physician self-assessment, benchmark-focused continuing medical education, and self-developed PI plans to improve process-related ACS care.
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In 2003, we published our chest pain protocol for the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) and acute myocardial infarction. Our algorithm was specifically designed for our institution, which was primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for all ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) and a preferred invasive approach for non-STEMIs. ⋯ We present our updated chest pain algorithm with a brief review of the rapidly evolving changes in adjunctive pharmacotherapy for PCI and provide a rationale for the changes that we have made to our institutional protocol. Clinical pathways need to be consistently updated and revises by incorporating new evidence from clinical trials in order to maintain clinical relevance.
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Global risk assessment is the standard of care for coronary artery disease management. In this setting, sleep apnea syndrome, which includes obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea, is being increasingly recognized as a potentially modifiable risk factor for coronary artery disease. ⋯ Continuous positive airway pressure has been shown to decrease inflammatory markers that are elevated in sleep apnea syndrome. Well-designed randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to better establish the role of sleep apnea in the genesis and progression of coronary artery disease.
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Comparative Study
Appropriately screened geriatric chest pain patients in an observation unit are not admitted at a higher rate than nongeriatric patients.
Observation units may exclude geriatric patients (defined as age >or=65) due to the high rate of observation failure (admission to an inpatient unit) among these patients. We evaluated whether geriatric patients on a chest pain protocol are admitted to an inpatient unit from an emergency department (ED) observation unit at a higher rate than nongeriatric patients. ⋯ Geriatric patients without a history of coronary artery disease were admitted to an inpatient unit at a rate consistent with a generally accepted observation failure rate of 10%. When screened appropriately, these patients may be appropriate for chest pain evaluation in the ED observation unit.