title: Beta-blocker use in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated by hospitalists.
abstract: It is well recognized that the administration of beta blockers to patients after myocardial infarction improves survival. This retrospective cohort and prospective study sought to define the usage of a large hospitalist group and enhance this usage by education and the utilization of a uniform discharge summary. All patients with a discharge diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction were included for analysis. The use of beta blockers by the hospitalist group was initially collected retrospectively and compared with two large cohorts. The data were presented to the hospitalist group. Prospective data collection then commenced. Retrospective analysis of the use of beta blockers showed a rate of 68% as compared with 21% and 34% in two large cohorts (P < .0001). After data were reviewed and conference occurred, prospective use of beta blockers increased to 90% (P < .0005). Patients with myocardial infarction were extremely likely to be treated with beta blockers by this hospitalist group. Review of previous usage and review of contraindications along with the use of a uniform discharge summary resulted in a significant increase in the use of these life-saving drugs.
authors.affiliation: Midwest Hospital Specialists, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dall
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Herndon
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000075202:Contraindications; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D020445:Hospitalists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists