Timeliness of interfacility transfer for ED patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Most US hospitals lack primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capabilities to treat patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) necessitating transfer to PCI-capable centers. Transferred patients rarely meet the 120-minute benchmark for timely reperfusion, and referring emergency departments (EDs) are a major source of preventable delays. We sought to use more granular data at transferring EDs to describe the variability in length of stay at referring EDs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a secondary data set used for quality improvement for patients with STEMI transferred to a single PCI center between 2008 and 2012. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the total time spent at each referring ED (door-in-door-out [DIDO] interval), periods that comprised DIDO (door to electrocardiogram [EKG], EKG-to-PCI activation, and PCI activation to exit), and the relationship of each period with overall time to reperfusion (medical contact-to-balloon [MCTB] interval). RESULTS: We identified 41 EDs that transferred 620 patients between 2008 and 2012. Median MCTB was 135 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 114,172). Median overall ED DIDO was 74 minutes (IQR 56,103) and was composed of door to EKG, 5 minutes (IQR 2,11); EKG-to-PCI activation, 18 minutes (IQR 7,37); and PCI activation to exit, 44 minutes (IQR 34,56). Door-in door-out accounted for the largest proportion (60%) of overall MCTB and had the largest variability (coefficient of variability, 1.37) of these intervals. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of transferring EDs, we found high variability and substantial delays after EKG performance for patients with STEMI. Factors influencing ED decision making and transportation coordination after PCI activation are a potential target for intervention to improve the timeliness of reperfusion in patients with STEMI.

Acute Pulmonary Embolism Network and Multidisciplinary Response Team Approach to Treatment.

BACKGROUND: The ideal treatment strategy for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a subject of debate. Treatment strategies vary based on numerous factors including the clinical scenario, hemodynamic variables, PE location, and personnel who are trained in advanced PE management therapies. METHODS: Similar to an acute myocardial infarction network, we created a regional referral system called the Acute PE Network to facilitate the transport of patients with PE from referring facilities and improve access to advanced therapies. Simultaneously, we created a multidisciplinary PE response team (PERT), developed diagnostic protocols, and created a therapeutic pathway that includes the use of ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis (USAT) for submassive PE. Data were collected on patient characteristics, echocardiographic findings, and clinical outcomes for patients treated with USAT utilizing this pathway. RESULTS: From January 2012 to May 2014, 31 patients who were treated with USAT for acute PE were identified. Fourteen of these patients were transferred through our Acute PE Network, whereas 17 patients presented directly to the emergency department. All patients were consulted upon by our PERT. Among those patients who had both pre-USAT and post-USAT echocardiograms performed for comparison (n = 19), right ventricular function improved or was preserved in 94% of patients, and right ventricular size improved or was preserved in 88% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Through the development of an Acute PE Network, with incorporation of a PERT and implementation of a critical care pathway, we report an innovative treatment approach to acute PE that includes utilization of USAT for submassive PE.

Clinical pathway: helicopter scene STEMI protocol to facilitate long-distance transfer for primary PCI.

BACKGROUND: The latest American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients within 90 minutes from presentation to the emergency room. For interhospital transfers, the most recent PCI guidelines recommend first medical contact-to-device times ≤120 minutes. Although PCI-capable hospitals have improved door-to-balloon times, many patients present to non-PCI-capable facilities and have been excluded from national quality measures. METHODS: In our acute myocardial infarction network, not only do we enable non-PCI hospitals to transfer STEMI patients but empower outside emergency medical services (EMS) to activate the catheterization laboratory team with a burst page and transfer STEMI patients directly from the scene. Data on patient characteristics, outcomes, and time elements were collected for "scene STEMI" patients who circumvented outlying rural non-PCI hospitals and are presented in this case series. RESULTS: From December 2007 to November 2010, 22 STEMI patients with higher than average acuity were transported by helicopter directly to our medical center for primary PCI. Median distance from the scene to our medical center was 47 miles [25th to 75th interquartile range (IQR) = 39-71 miles]. Median EMS-to-balloon time was 120 minutes (IQR = 111-134 minutes). There were no false activations by EMS. In comparison, our median time for interhospital STEMI transfers (N = 335) was 145 minutes (IQR = 121-186 minutes) from 2007 to 2009. CONCLUSIONS: In our single-center experience, 22 scene STEMI patients were diagnosed and appropriately triaged by EMS to our center for primary PCI. Our data show feasibility of an EMS-activated STEMI network over long distances with good reperfusion times.