Emergency department use of aspirin in patients with possible acute myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
Efforts have been made to improve the suboptimal use of aspirin after hospitalization.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency and timing of aspirin administration in emergency department patients with possible myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Retrospective record review.


METHODS
Emergency departments of four hospitals affiliated with the same university.


METHODS
All patients who were admitted to the four hospitals in 1994 for evaluation and treatment of suspected acute myocardial infarction.


METHODS
The frequency and timing of aspirin administration and the definitive diagnosis established before discharge from the hospital.


RESULTS
Aspirin was not given to 253 of 463 emergency department patients (55%) who had a definitive diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Seventy-eight percent of patients who did receive aspirin received it more than 30 minutes after arrival in the emergency department.


CONCLUSIONS
Aspirin therapy is underutilized as the first intervention in patients who are admitted with suspected myocardial infarction.
Saketkhou
B B
BB
Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, USA.
Conte
F J
FJ
Noris
M
M
Tilkemeier
P
P
Miller
G
G
Forman
D E
DE
Cannistra
L
L
Leavitt
J
J
Sharma
S C
SC
Garber
C
C
Parisi
A F
AF
D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012237:Rhode Island; D013997:Time Factors
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001241:Aspirin