Improving time-sensitive processes in the intensive care unit: the example of 'door-to-needle time' in acute myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and reduce delays in coronary thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Prospective, descriptive study using statistical process control.


METHODS
Interdisciplinary intensive care unit of a 300-bed community hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-seven consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction who were receiving thrombolytic therapy.


METHODS
To perform an interdisciplinary formal process analysis aimed at detecting delay-causing factors, review of existing house rules, generation and implementation of new practice guidelines.


METHODS
Comparison of 'door-to-needle times' of patients admitted before, during and after formal process analysis and implementation of new guidelines.


RESULTS
Mean 'door-to-needle time' fell significantly from 57 minutes (+/-25.4) in 16 patients studied before, to 32 minutes (+/-9.0) in 16 patients studied after the formal process analysis and the implementation of new guidelines (P < 0.002). An even more pronounced but transient decrease to 24 minutes (+/-3.8) was observed in five patients studied during the phase of formal process analysis (P < 0.004). Delay-causing factors were identified in the areas 'communication', 'people' and 'methods/rules/guidelines'. Equipment failure was never responsible for delays.


CONCLUSIONS
Formal process analysis, followed by implementation of revised guidelines resulted in a significant reduction of 'door-to-needle time'. An initial dramatic but transient reduction of 'door-to-needle time' was considered observational and must not be mistaken as the definite new level of performance. We conclude that formal process analysis techniques are suited to improve processes in the intensive care unit.
Bonetti
P O
PO
Interdisziplinäre Intensivstauon, Kantonsspital, Chur, Switzerland.
Waeckerlin
A
A
Schuepfer
G
G
Frutiger
A
A
D000075202:Contraindications; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017748:Time Management; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents