title: Treatment of the patient with acute myocardial infarction: reducing time delays.
abstract: There is a critical relationship of time to treatment and myocardial salvage in the patient with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The challenge lies in developing a process that minimizes delays in assessment and initiation of reperfusion therapy. Three target areas were identified-time to EKG. thrombolytic therapy, and primary PTCA. A multidisciplinary team reviewed the existing standard of care and identified critical areas that were causing delays. An emergency department algorithm was developed to minimize delays, while data analysis tracked our progress. A collaborative multidisciplinary effort can reduce delays in the treatment for the patient with AMI.
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008332:Management Quality Circles; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017748:Time Management; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods*; D014922:Wisconsin