title: Rapid access chest pain clinics--can they be justified?
abstract: Rapid access chest pain clinics are expanding across the country with marked resource implications despite a paucity of data regarding their efficacy. Early assessment of patients in this manner potentially delays review of patients referred via the traditional route. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients referred with chest pain to the Cardiology Outpatient Department over a four-week period in a District General Hospital to compare demographics and outcomes in patients referred to the rapid access with those referred to the general cardiology clinics. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics, exercise test result or clinic outcome. Both populations were low risk. Discussion is needed between primary and secondary care to achieve a consensus as to the purpose of a rapid access system and how best to utilise the service appropriately. Further studies are required to assess the efficacy and health economics of this system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, G22 3UW. amcgav@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: McGavigan
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Begley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moncrieff
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014600:Utilization Review