title: False activation of the cardiac catheterization laboratory for primary PCI.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate trends in door-to-balloon (D2B) times and false activation rates for the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In patients with STEMI, national efforts have focused on reducing D2B times for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI). This emphasis on time-to-treatment may increase the rate of false CCL activations and unnecessary healthcare utilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective quality improvement chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined all emergent CCL activations for P-PCI between 2007 and 2011 at the University of Michigan Hospital. False activation was defined as emergent CCL activation when the patient did not require CCL care or emergent cardiology evaluation in the ED. Pre-hospital or ED false activation rates and mean D2B time were retrospectively determined by chart review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CCL was activated 717 times for suspected STEMI. The number of CCL activations increased from 96 in 2007 to 190 in 2011. False CCL activations accounted for 28% of all prehospital and 29% of all ED activations. The false activation rate increased from 15% of all cases in 2007 to 40% of all cases in 2011. The median D2B time decreased from 67 minutes in 2007 to 55 minutes in 2011.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over a 5-year period with a strong emphasis on reducing D2B times, there has been an increased CCL false activation rate for P-PCI.
authors.affiliation: CVC Cardiovascular Medicine, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5853. E-mail:gbarnes@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Geoffery D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Desmond
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kronick
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beach
authors.forename: Stanley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chetcuti
authors.forename: Eric R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Hitinder S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Gurm
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital; D054869:Clinical Audit; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D061665:Time-to-Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data