title: "Call 911" STEMI protocol to reduce delays in transfer of patients from non primary percutaneous coronary intervention referral Centers.
abstract: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred method of reperfusion for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), if it can be performed in a timely manner by an experienced interventional cardiologist at a high volume STEMI Receiving Center. However, an estimated 50% of STEMI patients present to STEMI Referral Centers without PPCI capability. Transfer of STEMI patients for PPCI has been shown to improve outcomes as compared with fibrinolysis given at the presenting hospital. Nonetheless, transfer of STEMI patients for PPCI has not been used extensively in the United States and is associated with markedly prolonged transfer times. This study demonstrates that rapid transfer of STEMI patients from community hospitals without PPCI capability to a STEMI Receiving Center is both safe and feasible using a standardized protocol with an integrated transfer system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Arcadia, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Terrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baruch
authors.forename: Alisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rock
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rokos
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: French
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004630:Emergencies; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management