References
Pre-hospital coronary heart disease: Analysing performance indicators
Abstract
The prevalence of coronary heart disease is massive within the UK and is the leading cause of myocardial infarction. Between a third and two thirds of associated deaths occur in the pre hospital setting, many within the first few minutes of symptom onset. Immediate quality treatment is proven to improve patient survival however recent evidence suggests patients are not receiving all the elements of a quality care bundle. Pain management has been identified as one area which requires national improvement to meet standards directed by the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. In response, Ambulance services nationally have used clinical performance indicators to address quality issues in order to enhance practice and achieve target. This article reviews the importance of pain relief in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome and analyses the use of clinical performance indicators in the pursuit of best practice within the North West.
This article aims to investigate the management of acute instances of Coronary Heart Disease within the North West pre-hospital environment. The clinical audit approach of addressing quality issues of care will be specifically examined, focussing on how the framework attempts to improve practice. During this analysis, the importance of pain relief in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome will be explored before evaluating effectiveness within practice. This will be achieved by reviewing the topic of coronary heart disease and examining national and local policies which aim to tackle the condition in the North West.
Ischemic heart disease is a condition characterised by inadequate myocardial perfusion caused by reduced blood supply, increased myocardial oxygen demand, or both (Falk et al. 2011). Coronary heart disease is characterised by compromising the supply of blood to the heart and is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia which is also known as coronary vascular disease (Falk et al. 2011). The British Heart Foundation (2010) claim the underlying cause for coronary heart disease is a gradual build up of fatty deposits in the walls of the coronary arteries, causing them to narrow which is known as atherosclerosis.
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