Table 3.
Compliance with evidence-based organization of care pathway recommendations for AMI and strokea
| Item | n (%), full compliance | Average country rangea (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Acute myocardial infarction departments (n = 66) | ||
| 1. There are written criteria and procedures for fast-track admission and treatment of patients presenting with acute chest pain | 36 (54.5) | 18.2–90.9 |
| 2. Arrangements ensure that eligible STEMI (S-T elevation Myocardial Infarction) patients can receive thrombolysis within 30 min of arrival at the hospital | 37 (56.0) | 18.2–85.7 |
| 3. Immediate access is available 24/7 to a specialist physician to determine whether coronary revascularization is appropriate | 57 (86.3) | 66.7–100.0 |
| 4. Facilities are immediately available for performance of and transport for emergency coronary angiography | 48 (72.7) | 40.0–90.9 |
| 5. Facilities are immediately available for performance of and transport for percutaneous coronary intervention | 44 (66.6) | 36.4–81.8 |
| Overall score, mean (SD) | 3.2 (0.9) | |
| Stroke departments (n = 74) | ||
| 1. There is an agreed procedure for appropriate patients to be directly transported by ambulance personnel to a stroke unit | 42 (56.7) | 36.4–100.0 |
| 2. Agreed procedures ensure that patients with suspected stroke are assessed for receiving thrombolysis, if clinically indicated | 55 (74.3) | 41.7–100.0 |
| 3. A thrombolysis service is available 7 days a week in the hospital or by formal arrangement elsewhere | 62 (83.7) | 58.3–100.0 |
| 4. Agreed procedures ensure that patients with acute stroke have their swallowing screened by a specially trained healthcare professional | 35 (47.2) | 0.0–100.0 |
| 5. Protocols and procedures are available for patients to receive brain imaging within 1 h of arrival at the hospital | 46 (62.1) | 25.0–91.7 |
| 6. Protocols are in place to ensure documented multidisciplinary goals are agreed within 5 days of admission to hospital | 31 (41.8) | 8.3–66.7 |
| 7. There is immediate access (1 h) to a specialist acute stroke unit (or area) for those with persisting neurological symptoms | 51 (68.9) | 50.0–83.3 |
| Overall score, mean (SD) | 3.0 (1.0) | |
aMinimum–maximum percentage of fully compliant hospitals by country used to determine country ranges.