title: Use of statistical process control to support improved care for patients with acute myocardial infarction eligible for thrombolytic treatment: experience from 2 hospitals in England during 2002-2003.
abstract: Efforts to reduce mortality from acute myocardial infarction (MI) through expediting thrombolytic and other reperfusion treatments have included the publication of clinical guidelines and standards of care for "door-to-needle" time in many countries. Across England, the National Service Framework, a national program of reform of cardiac care in the National Health Service, has resulted in, inter alia, significant reductions in treatment delay for thrombolysis-eligible patients. One component of the improvement program has been the use of service improvement methodologies, including statistical process control. We describe the early experience of 2 general hospitals in improving care of thrombolysis-eligible MI patients.
authors.affiliation: Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: MacKie
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: MacKay
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Quinn