[The patterns of admission for patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction]

Abstract

The patterns of admission to hospital for 161 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction during the period 1.2.1988-30.9.1988 were investigated. This revealed that 59% called their doctor, 20% called the ambulance directly, 11% arrived at the doctor's office or casualty department and 7% were admitted with cardiac arrest. The durations of delay were investigated. The median duration of delay by the doctor was 15 minutes but only 7% of the cases were escorted to hospital by the doctor. In 53% of the cases, the doctors waited for the ambulance without escorting the patient. In 40% of the cases, the doctors did not wait for the ambulance. 44% of the patients with acute myocardial infarction referred to hospital by doctors who did not accompany them were in poor condition on arrival (one patient died in the ambulance). 33% of these patients died in hospital. The ambulances were staffed by three persons with paramedical training in only 5% of the cases when the patient first called the doctor and in 41% of the cases when the ambulance was called as an emergency. The study reveals that prehospital treatment of cardiac patients should be improved.