Improving STEMI Transfer Times

Early identification and treatment for the patient experiencing an ST elevation myocardial infarction is imperative. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have provided national guidelines to standardize the expectation of care for these patients. When organizations are not equipped to perform a percutaneous coronary intervention, the patient requires transfer. Delay in patient transfer leads to increased morbidity and mortality and poor patient outcomes. For this reason, it is essential that non-PCI capable hospitals have a standard protocol that is followed to expedite treatment and transfer of the patient to a higher level of care. This project evaluated the impact that instituting a STEMI protocol had on transfer times. A retrospective analysis of previous transfer times was utilized to compare if the institution of a protocol was effective at improving the transfer process