RESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Atención a la Salud/organización & administración , Transferencia de Pacientes , Intervención Coronaria Percutánea/métodos , Infarto del Miocardio con Elevación del ST/terapia , Terapia Trombolítica/métodos , Tiempo de Tratamiento , Anciano , Servicios Médicos de Urgencia , Femenino , Hospitales , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infarto del Miocardio/cirugía , Calidad de la Atención de Salud , Regionalización , Población Rural , WyomingRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Regional myocardial infarction systems of care have been shown to improve timely access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, there is a relatively sparse research on rural "frontier" regions. Arrival mode, high rates of interhospital transfers, long transport times, low population density, and mostly volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) distinguish this region from metropolitan systems of care. We sought to assess the effect of interhospital transfers, distance, and arrival mode on total ischemic times for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarctions undergoing primary PCI. METHODS: We assessed patient data from our observational cohort of 395 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction with PCI as their primary treatment strategy. Data came from the 10 PCI hospitals participating in the Wyoming Mission: Lifeline program from January 2013 to September 2014. We performed both regression and tests of differences. RESULTS: Median total ischemic time was nearly 2.7 times greater in transferred patients than those presenting directly (379 vs 140 minutes). Distance in miles traveled between patient's home and PCI facility was 2.5 times larger in transfer patients (51 vs 20 miles). Emergency medical services arrival was associated with 23% shorter total ischemic times than self-arrival. CONCLUSIONS: Transfer patients from referral hospitals had significantly greater total ischemic time, and use of EMS was associated with significantly lower times. Transport distance was mixed in its effect. These findings suggest a continued focus on improving transitions between referral and receiving centers and enhancing coordination in rural systems of care to reduce the multiplier effect of transfers on total ischemic time.