Early recognition and early access for acute coronary syndromes in New Zealand: Key links in the chain of survival
NZ Literature Abstract
posted by Research Admin on 11 May 2010
Authors
H. Tanner
Peter D. Larsen
Nigel A. Lever
Duncan C. Galletly
Year of Publication
2006
Source
The New Zealand Medical Journal, 119(1232)
Publication Type
Journal article (peer reviewed)
Publication Status
Completed
Abstract
The authors studied the behaviour of patients prior to admission to hospital with symptoms of acute coronary syndromes, and what barriers may exist to early recognition of these symptoms and to early activation of emergency medical services. Over a 7-week period, the authors interviewed 100 patients admitted to the Cardiac Care Unit in Wellington Hospital with suspected acute coronary syndromes. Within 5 minutes of symptom onset, 46 of 100 patients believed they were having a heart attack. Sixty-two of the patients believed that they had a cardiac-related problem. Patients took a median time of 90 minutes (range 0–9600 minutes) to contact a health professional from the time of symptom onset; and a median time of 228 minutes (range 33-9633 minutes) to arrive at hospital. The authors observed significant differences in both these end-points according to which health professional was contacted first. Patients who presented directly to hospital arrived significantly faster (median 72 minutes) than those who first called an ambulance (180 minutes) or contacted a general practitioner (485 minutes) (p=0.001, Kruskal Wallis test). The authors conclude that considerable delays exist in the presentation of patients with symptoms of ACS to hospital. These delays are multifactorial, but the psychological intimidation of the 111 telephone system and delays incurred by inappropriate out-of-hospital management of patients with chest pain are probably significant. It is likely that these delays contribute to mortality from acute coronary syndromes.
Type of Study
Quantitative, Analysis