Clinical cardiology
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Clinical cardiology · Dec 2009
Multicenter StudyPrehospital electrocardiograms (ECGs) do not improve the process of emergency department care in hospitals with higher usage of ECGs in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.
This article will describe the impact of prehospital electrocardiogram (ECG) use on emergency department (ED) processes of care for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients and assess the characteristics associated with prehospital ECG use. ⋯ Use of prehospital ECG in NSTEMI patients is uncommon. In contrast to its impact on reperfusion times in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, its use does not appear to be associated with an improvement in ED processes of care at the hospital level.