Otimização da Terapia de Reperfusão no Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio com Supradesnível do Segmento ST por Meio de Telemedicina Baseada no WhatsApp® / Reperfusion Therapy Optimization in Acute Myocardial Infarction with ST-Segment Elevation using WhatsApp®-Based Telemedicine

Resumo Fundamento Cerca de 40% dos pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnível do segmento ST (IAMCSST) no Brasil não recebem terapia de reperfusão. Objetivo A utilização de uma rede de telemedicina baseada no WhatsApp® poderia aumentar a porcentagem de pacientes que recebem terapia de reperfusão. Métodos Estudo transversal do tipo antes e depois da organização de uma rede de telemedicina para envio e análise do eletrocardiograma através do WhatsApp® dos pacientes suspeitos de IAMCSST oriundos dos 25 municípios integrantes do Departamento Regional de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto (DRS−XIII), para hospital terciário que poderia autorizar a transferência imediata do paciente utilizando o mesmo sistema. O desfechos analisados foram a porcentagem de pacientes que receberam terapia de reperfusão e a taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar. Considerou-se valor de p <0,05 como estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Foram comparados 82 pacientes antes desta rede (1º de fevereiro de 2016 a 31 de janeiro de 2018) com 196 pacientes depois da implantação da mesma (1º de fevereiro de 2018 a 31 de janeiro de 2020). Após a implantação da rede, houve aumento significativo da proporção de pacientes que receberam terapia de reperfusão (60% vs. 92%), risco relativo (RR): 1,594 [intervalo de confiança (IC) 95% 1,331 - 1,909], p <0,0001 e redução da mortalidade intra-hospitalar (13,4% vs. 5,6%), RR: 0,418 [IC 95% 0,189 - 0,927], p = 0,028. Conclusão Rede de telemedicina baseada no WhatsApp® associou-se a aumento da porcentagem de pacientes com IAMCSST que receberam terapia de reperfusão e a redução na mortalidade intra-hospitalar.

Abstract Background About 40% of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Brazil do not receive reperfusion therapy. Objective The use of a telemedicine network based on WhatsApp® could increase the percentage of patients receiving reperfusion therapy. Methods A cross-sectional study analyzed outcomes before and after the organization of a telemedicine network to send the electrocardiogram via WhatsApp® of patients suspected of STEMI from 25 municipalities that are members of the Regional Health Department of Ribeirão Preto (DRS−XIII) to a tertiary hospital, which could authorize immediate patient transfer using the same system. The analyzed outcomes included the percentage of patients who received reperfusion therapy and the in-hospital mortality rate. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The study compared 82 patients before (February 1, 2016 to January 31, 2018) with 196 patients after this network implementation (February 1, 2018 to January 31, 2020). After implementing this network, there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients who received reperfusion therapy (60% vs. 92%), relative risk (RR): 1.594 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.331 - 1.909], p < 0.0001 and decrease in the in-hospital mortality rate (13.4% vs. 5.6%), RR: 0.418 [95%CI 0.189 - 0.927], p = 0.028. Conclusion The use of WhatsApp®-based telemedicine has led to an increase in the percentage of patients with STEMI who received reperfusion therapy and a decrease in the in-hospital mortality rate.

Reperfusion Therapy Optimization in Acute Myocardial Infarction with ST-Segment Elevation using WhatsApp®-Based Telemedicine. / Otimização da Terapia de Reperfusão no Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio com Supradesnível do Segmento ST por Meio de Telemedicina Baseada no WhatsApp®.

BACKGROUND: About 40% of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Brazil do not receive reperfusion therapy. OBJECTIVE: The use of a telemedicine network based on WhatsApp® could increase the percentage of patients receiving reperfusion therapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study analyzed outcomes before and after the organization of a telemedicine network to send the electrocardiogram via WhatsApp® of patients suspected of STEMI from 25 municipalities that are members of the Regional Health Department of Ribeirão Preto (DRS-XIII) to a tertiary hospital, which could authorize immediate patient transfer using the same system. The analyzed outcomes included the percentage of patients who received reperfusion therapy and the in-hospital mortality rate. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study compared 82 patients before (February 1, 2016 to January 31, 2018) with 196 patients after this network implementation (February 1, 2018 to January 31, 2020). After implementing this network, there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients who received reperfusion therapy (60% vs. 92%), relative risk (RR): 1.594 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.331 - 1.909], p < 0.0001 and decrease in the in-hospital mortality rate (13.4% vs. 5.6%), RR: 0.418 [95%CI 0.189 - 0.927], p = 0.028. CONCLUSION: The use of WhatsApp®-based telemedicine has led to an increase in the percentage of patients with STEMI who received reperfusion therapy and a decrease in the in-hospital mortality rate.

FUNDAMENTO: Cerca de 40% dos pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnível do segmento ST (IAMCSST) no Brasil não recebem terapia de reperfusão. OBJETIVO: A utilização de uma rede de telemedicina baseada no WhatsApp® poderia aumentar a porcentagem de pacientes que recebem terapia de reperfusão. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal do tipo antes e depois da organização de uma rede de telemedicina para envio e análise do eletrocardiograma através do WhatsApp® dos pacientes suspeitos de IAMCSST oriundos dos 25 municípios integrantes do Departamento Regional de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto (DRS−XIII), para hospital terciário que poderia autorizar a transferência imediata do paciente utilizando o mesmo sistema. O desfechos analisados foram a porcentagem de pacientes que receberam terapia de reperfusão e a taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar. Considerou-se valor de p <0,05 como estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: Foram comparados 82 pacientes antes desta rede (1º de fevereiro de 2016 a 31 de janeiro de 2018) com 196 pacientes depois da implantação da mesma (1º de fevereiro de 2018 a 31 de janeiro de 2020). Após a implantação da rede, houve aumento significativo da proporção de pacientes que receberam terapia de reperfusão (60% vs. 92%), risco relativo (RR): 1,594 [intervalo de confiança (IC) 95% 1,331 ­ 1,909], p <0,0001 e redução da mortalidade intra-hospitalar (13,4% vs. 5,6%), RR: 0,418 [IC 95% 0,189 ­ 0,927], p = 0,028. CONCLUSÃO: Rede de telemedicina baseada no WhatsApp® associou-se a aumento da porcentagem de pacientes com IAMCSST que receberam terapia de reperfusão e a redução na mortalidade intra-hospitalar.

Clinical impact of implementing a rapid-response team based on the Modified Early Warning Score in wards that offer emergency department support.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) crowding is a frequent situation. To decrease this overload, patients without a life-threating condition are transferred to wards that offer ED support. This study aimed to evaluate if implementing a rapid response team (RRT) triggered by the modified early warning score (MEWS) in high-risk wards offering ED support is associated with decreased in-hospital mortality rate. METHODS: A before-and-after cross-sectional study compared in-hospital mortality rates before and after implementation of an RRT triggered by the MEWS ≥4 in two wards of a tertiary hospital that offer ED support. RESULTS: We included 6863 patients hospitalized in these wards before RRT implementation from July 2015 through June 2017 and 6944 patients hospitalized in these same wards after RRT implementation from July 2018 through June 2020. We observed a statistically significant decrease in the in-hospital mortality rate after intervention, 449 deaths/6944 hospitalizations [6.47% (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.91%- 7.07%)] compared to 534 deaths/6863 hospitalizations [7.78% (95% CI 7.17-8.44)] before intervention; with an absolute risk reduction of -1.31% (95% CI -2.20 --0.50). CONCLUSION: RRT trigged by the MEWS≥4 in high-risk wards that offer ED support was found to be associated with a decreased in-hospital mortality rate. A further cluster-randomized trial should evaluate the impact of this intervention in this setting.

Impact of long-stay beds on the performance of a tertiary hospital in emergencies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of implementing long-stay beds for patients of low complexity and high dependency in small hospitals on the performance of an emergency referral tertiary hospital. METHODS: For this longitudinal study, we identified hospitals in three municipalities of a regional department of health covered by tertiary care that supplied 10 long-stay beds each. Patients were transferred to hospitals in those municipalities based on a specific protocol. The outcome of transferred patients was obtained by daily monitoring. Confounding factors were adjusted by Cox logistic and semiparametric regression. RESULTS: Between September 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014, 97 patients were transferred, 72.1% male, with a mean age of 60.5 years (SD = 1.9), for which 108 transfers were performed. Of these patients, 41.7% died, 33.3% were discharged, 15.7% returned to tertiary care, and only 9.3% tertiary remained hospitalized until the end of the analysis period. We estimated the Charlson comorbidity index - 0 (n = 28 [25.9%]), 1 (n = 31 [56.5%]) and ≥ 2 (n = 19 [17.5%]) - the only variable that increased the chance of death or return to the tertiary hospital (Odds Ratio = 2.4; 95%CI 1.3;4.4). The length of stay in long-stay beds was 4,253 patient days, which would represent 607 patients at the tertiary hospital, considering the average hospital stay of seven days. The tertiary hospital increased the number of patients treated in 50.0% for Intensive Care, 66.0% for Neurology and 9.3% in total. Patients stayed in long-stay beds mainly in the first 30 (50.0%) and 60 (75.0%) days. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing long-stay beds increased the number of patients treated in tertiary care, both in general and in system bottleneck areas such as Neurology and Intensive Care. The Charlson index of comorbidity is associated with the chance of patient death or return to tertiary care, even when adjusted for possible confounding factors.

Impact of long-stay beds on the performance of a tertiary hospital in emergencies / Impacto de leitos de longa permanência no desempenho de hospital terciário em emergências

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of implementing long-stay beds for patients of low complexity and high dependency in small hospitals on the performance of an emergency referral tertiary hospital. METHODS For this longitudinal study, we identified hospitals in three municipalities of a regional department of health covered by tertiary care that supplied 10 long-stay beds each. Patients were transferred to hospitals in those municipalities based on a specific protocol. The outcome of transferred patients was obtained by daily monitoring. Confounding factors were adjusted by Cox logistic and semiparametric regression. RESULTS Between September 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014, 97 patients were transferred, 72.1% male, with a mean age of 60.5 years (SD = 1.9), for which 108 transfers were performed. Of these patients, 41.7% died, 33.3% were discharged, 15.7% returned to tertiary care, and only 9.3% tertiary remained hospitalized until the end of the analysis period. We estimated the Charlson comorbidity index - 0 (n = 28 [25.9%]), 1 (n = 31 [56.5%]) and ≥ 2 (n = 19 [17.5%]) - the only variable that increased the chance of death or return to the tertiary hospital (Odds Ratio = 2.4; 95%CI 1.3;4.4). The length of stay in long-stay beds was 4,253 patient days, which would represent 607 patients at the tertiary hospital, considering the average hospital stay of seven days. The tertiary hospital increased the number of patients treated in 50.0% for Intensive Care, 66.0% for Neurology and 9.3% in total. Patients stayed in long-stay beds mainly in the first 30 (50.0%) and 60 (75.0%) days. CONCLUSIONS Implementing long-stay beds increased the number of patients treated in tertiary care, both in general and in system bottleneck areas such as Neurology and Intensive Care. The Charlson index of comorbidity is associated with the chance of patient death or return to tertiary care, even when adjusted for possible confounding factors.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar o impacto da implantação de leitos de longa permanência para pacientes de baixa complexidade e alta dependência em hospitais de pequeno porte sobre o desempenho de hospital terciário de referência em emergência. MÉTODOS Para este estudo longitudinal, foram identificados hospitais em três municípios no departamento regional de saúde coberto pela instância terciária e que forneciam 10 leitos de longa permanência cada. Os pacientes foram transferidos para os hospitais desses municípios com base em protocolo específico. Obteve-se o desfecho dos pacientes transferidos por acompanhamento diário. Fatores de confusão foram ajustados por regressão logística e semiparamétrica de Cox. RESULTADOS Entre 1 de setembro de 2013 e 30 de setembro de 2014, foram transferidos 97 pacientes, sendo 72,1% homens, com idade média de 60,5 anos (DP = 1,9), para os quais foram realizadas 108 transferências. Desses pacientes, 41,7% evoluíram ao óbito, 33,3% receberam alta, 15,7% retornaram à instância terciária, e apenas 9,3% permaneceram internados até o final do período analisado. Foi calculado o índice de comorbidade de Charlson - 0 (n = 28 [25,9%]), 1 (n = 31 [56,5%]) e ≥ 2 (n = 19 [17,5%]) - a única variável que aumentou a chance de óbito ou retorno ao hospital terciário (Razão de Chances = 2,4; IC95% 1,3;4,4). O tempo de permanência nos leitos de longa permanência foi de 4.253 pacientes-dia, que representariam 607 vagas no hospital terciário, considerando-se a média de internação de sete dias. O hospital terciário aumentou o número de vagas em 50,0% para terapia intensiva, 66,0% para neurologia e 9,3% para as vagas totais. A permanência dos pacientes nos leitos de longa permanência limitou-se em grande parte aos primeiros 30 (50,0%) e 60 (75,0%) dias. CONCLUSÕES A implantação de leitos de longa permanência teve impacto no aumento de vagas novas oferecidas pela instância terciária tanto gerais como para áreas de estrangulamento do sistema, como a Neurologia e Terapia Intensiva. O índice de comorbidade de Charlson está associado à chance de o paciente evoluir ao óbito ou retornar para a instância terciária, mesmo quando ajustado por possíveis fatores de confusão.