Care delays in patients with signs and symptoms of acute myocardial infarction
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence & Practice Previous     Next

Care delays in patients with signs and symptoms of acute myocardial infarction

Susan Sanders Assistant professor, nursing, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, United States

Aim More than six million patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of a heart attack present to emergency departments (EDs) in the US each year. Of those diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), one third die in the acute phase. Rapid ED triage can reduce the mortality rate, yet there are still delays in patient care. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between patient and nurse characteristics, patient presentations, delays in triage, and delays in obtaining electrocardiograms (ECGs) of patients with signs and symptoms of AMI.

Methods A retrospective correlational study drawing on data from the records of 286 patients with signs and symptoms of AMI.

Results Delays in triage are related significantly to patients’ gender and race. Most patients were triaged by nurses with associate degrees in nursing, a mean age of 45 and a mean of 18 years’ experience. An increase in nurse years of experience predicted greater delay in triage. Delays in obtaining ECGs were also significantly greater with more experienced nurses and when patients reported no chest pain.

Conclusion The study adds to the literature on delays in triage and ECGs in care of patients with possible AMI, and further research of the effects of ED crowding and availability of resources in emergency cardiac care is warranted. Studies should identify the processes that cause delays in the emergency care of patients with signs and symptoms of AMI to ensure timely treatment and care.

Emergency Nurse. 25, 6, 31-36. doi: 10.7748/en.2017.e1674

Correspondence

suzn911@hotmail.com

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

For author guidelines, go to rcni.com/writeforus

Received: 11 November 2016

Accepted: 10 July 2017

Want to read more?

RCNi-Plus
Already have access? Log in

or

3-month trial offer for £5.25/month

Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
  • Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
  • RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
  • NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
  • A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now


Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more