The impact on long term health outcomes for STEMI patients during a period of process change to reduce door to balloon time

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for the management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommend a 'door to balloon time' (DTBT) within 90 minutes. It is unclear whether strategies to reduce DTBT translate to improved longer-term health outcomes for STEMI patients. AIMS: This study sought to determine whether implemented strategies to improve timely management of STEMI reduced DTBT and impacted upon health outcomes such as length of stay, unplanned readmission and 12-month mortality. Predictors of timely management for STEMI were also examined. METHODS: A five-year review was undertaken on primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI in one tertiary hospital. Comparisons wer..