Background: Patients with an acute myocardial infarction require a rapid response to their symptoms and the earlier fibrinolysis is given (where indicated), the better the outcome.
Aims: The aim of this study is to compare 'door to needle times' for fibrinolysis in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in three phases of one year each, at Letterkenny General Hospital.
Methods: In the PREINTERVENTION year all fibrinolysis was performed in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). In the INTERVENTION year Emergency Department (ED) fast track fibrinolysis was introduced and in the POST INTERVENTION year most fibrinolysis was performed on fast track in the ED.
Results: The time saved by the introduction of ED fibrinolysis was significant, 41 minutes on average per patient. Elderly, female patients were more likely to bypass ED fast track fibrinolysis and to be brought to CCU for fibrinolysis, with attendant delays. This has educational implications in relation to the variation in clinical presentation of AMI with age and sex.
Conclusion: The ED fast track fibrinolysis system is recommended as an effective, safe, achievable and worthwhile intervention towards improving 'door to needle times' for fibrinolysis in AMI.