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Jenkins L, Johnston T, Armour R, Maria S. Informing Utstein-style reporting guidelines for prehospital thrombolysis: A scoping review. Australas Emerg Care 2024; 27:148-154. [PMID: 38233295 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rural Australians with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) face higher mortality rates due to limited access to specialised cardiac services. Paramedic-administered prehospital thrombolysis (PHT) has emerged as an alternative to primary percutaneous intervention (pPCI) for patients facing barriers or delays to cardiac care. There is variability in PHT practices among Australian ambulance services, lacking standardised definitions and outcome measures. The aim of this scoping review was to identify quality indicators and influencing factors associated with outcomes for patients receiving PHT. METHODS A systematic search of literature in SCOPUS and Academic Search Complete, CINAHL and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition databases via EBSCO (Health) was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Peer-reviewed studies from the past decade were screened using search criteria relevant to prehospital thrombolysis and quality indicators. Data extraction was performed and themed using five domains from the Utstein-style template commonly known for standardised prehospital cardiac arrest reporting. RESULTS After removing duplicates, the search yielded 3596 articles with 28 empirical studies meeting inclusion criteria for the review. These were primarily retrospective cohort studies performed in Australia, Canada and the United States. The scoping review identified 24 clinical quality indicators and factors related to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems, AMI recognition and ambulance dispatch, patient variables, PHT processes and patient outcomes. These findings correlate to the Donabedian structure-process-outcome quality of care model and have utility to inform future PHT reporting guidelines for jurisdictional ambulance services. CONCLUSIONS Given the variability in prehospital practice across Australian ambulance services, standardised reporting on quality indicators for PHT is needed. The Utstein-style template used to report data on pre-hospital cardiac arrest, trauma and airway management could be used for quality improvement in PHT. This review presents 24 quality indicators representing system, recognition and response, patient, process, and outcomes related to PHT. These results could be used to inform a future Delphi study and Utstein-like reporting guideline for prehospital thrombolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Jenkins
- Faculty of Science and Health, School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tania Johnston
- Faculty of Science and Health, School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia; Ambulance Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Richard Armour
- Faculty of Science and Health, School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paramedicine, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sonja Maria
- Faculty of Science and Health, School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.
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Mols EM, Haak H, Holland M, Schouten B, Ibsen S, Merten H, Christensen EF, Nanayakkara PWB, Nickel CH, Weichert I, Kellett J, Subbe CP, Kremers MNT. Can acutely ill patients predict their outcomes? A scoping review. Emerg Med J 2024; 41:342-349. [PMID: 38238065 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2022-213000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The full impact of an acute illness on subsequent health is seldom explicitly discussed with patients. Patients' estimates of their likely prognosis have been explored in chronic care settings and can contribute to the improvement of clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. This scoping review aimed to identify studies of acutely ill patients' estimates of their outcomes and potential benefits for their care. METHODS A search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar, using terms related to prognostication and acute care. After removal of duplicates, all articles were assessed for relevance by six investigator pairs; disagreements were resolved by a third investigator. Risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS Our search identified 3265 articles, of which 10 were included. The methods of assessing self-prognostication were very heterogeneous. Patients seem to be able to predict their need for hospital admission in certain settings, but not their length of stay. The severity of their symptoms and the burden of their disease are often overestimated or underestimated by patients. Patients with severe health conditions and their relatives tend to be overoptimistic about the likely outcome. CONCLUSION The understanding of acutely ill patients of their likely outcomes and benefits of treatment has not been adequately studied and is a major knowledge gap. Limited published literature suggests patients may be able to predict their need for hospital admission. Illness perception may influence help-seeking behaviour, speed of recovery and subsequent quality of life. Knowledge of patients' self-prognosis may enhance communication between patients and their physicians, which improves patient-centred care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Margaretha Mols
- Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Aging and Long Term Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Internal Medicine, Maxima Medical Centre Location Veldhoven, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Harm Haak
- Internal Medicine, Maxima Medical Centre Location Veldhoven, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Services Research and CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Holland
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK
- Department of Internal Medicine, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
| | - Bo Schouten
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC Locatie VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Maastricht University Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stine Ibsen
- Center for Prehospital and Emergency Research, Clinic of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Aalborg Universitetshospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Physiotherapy, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hanneke Merten
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC Locatie VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Acute Care Network North-West, Amsterdam UMC Locatie VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erika Frischknecht Christensen
- Center for Prehospital and Emergency Research, Clinic of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Aalborg Universitetshospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Prabath W B Nanayakkara
- Section of Acute Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Immo Weichert
- Department of Acute Medicine, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Ipswich, UK
| | - John Kellett
- Emergency Medicine, Sydvestjysk Sygehus, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Christian Peter Subbe
- Department of Acute Medicine, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, UK
- School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Marjolein N T Kremers
- Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Aging and Long Term Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Demisse L, Alemayehu B, Addissie A, Azazh A, Gary R. Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about acute coronary syndrome among patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022; 22:444. [PMID: 36241970 PMCID: PMC9563121 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-022-02893-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) morbidity and mortality are rising in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. The shift in health-care resources from communicable diseases to chronic conditions has created formidable health-care challenges. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among ACS patients. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to enroll participants admitted to one of 3 emergency units in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about ACS was measured using modified ACS response index questionaries. Results Participant’s (N = 330) mean age was 57.9 ± 14.1, majority male (n = 219, 66.36%). Half of the study participants have inadequate Knowledge (n = 147, 44.6%), unfavorable attitudes (n = 152, 46%), and belief (n = 153, 46.4%) about ACS symptoms even after being diagnosed and treated in the emergency unit. The most frequently recognized ACS symptoms were chest discomfort (n = 274, 83%), fatigue (n = 267, 80.9%) and chest pain (n = 266, 80.6%) while Jaw pain (n = 101, 30%) neck pain (n = 146,44.2%), were less often recognized. Nearly two thirds of the participants (n = 214, 65%) would not prefer to use emergency medical services (EMS) to come to the hospital. Factors associated with adequate knowledge were age < 45 (AOR = 2.16, CI (1.1–4.0) p = 0.014), and female sex (AOR = 2.7, CI (1.5–4.4) p = 0.001) and diabetics (AOR = 1.9, (1.18–3.0) p = 0.008). Meanwhile, lack of formal education (AOR = 6.7, CI (3.1–14) p < 0.001) and unemployment (AOR = 2.0, CI (1.1–3.8) p = 0.021) were associated with unfavorable attitude. In addition, lack of social support (AOR = 1.9, (1.17–3.0) p = 0.009) and unfavorable attitude (AOR = 2.1, CI (1.3–3.4) p = 0.001) were significantly associated with unfavorable belief. Conclusion Despite receiving treatment for ACS in an emergency unit, roughly half of participants did not have adequate knowledge, favorable attitude and belief towards ACS. This elucidates there is significant communication gap between the health care providers and patients. The study findings stipulate there is a need to provide health awareness campaigns using different media outlet with special attention to the uneducated and unemployed groups. Furthermore, most participants were less likely to utilize emergency medical service, which should be further investigated and addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lemlem Demisse
- College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Bekele Alemayehu
- College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adamu Addissie
- College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aklilu Azazh
- College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rebecca Gary
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Beza L, Alemayehu B, Addissie A, Azazh A, Gary R. Treatment Seeking Behaviors and Associated Factors among Patients Experiencing Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Health Belief Model in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci 2022; 32:781-790. [PMID: 35950066 PMCID: PMC9341033 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v32i4.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a life-threatening condition. The mortality rate will be reduced if immediate treatment is provided. Patients' awareness of ACS is limited, so they do not seek help as quite often as they should. The level of treatment seeking behavior and associated factors among ACS patients admitted to three hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were assessed using a health belief model. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 ACS patients from November 2019 to December 2020. Sociodemographic and clinical variables data were extracted using pre-tested checklist. The outcome and other variables data were collected using the checklist and structured questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and exported to STATA 17.1 for analysis. Descriptive statistics relevant to the variable was performed. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with treatment seeking behavior. Results This study revealed that the mean time from symptom onset to arrival at the emergency unit (EU) was 24 ± 19.5 hours, slightly < half of the participants (n=149, 45.1 %) had adequate treatment seeking behavior. Perceived threat (AOR=1.03,95% CI:1.01–1.06, p=0.002), perceived benefits (AOR=1.09, 95%CI: 1.02–1.0, p≤0.001), self-efficacy (AOR=1.16, 95% CI :1.01- 1.22, p≤0.001), education (AOR=2.2,95%CI:1.31–3.9, p≤0.01) self-autonomy (AOR=3.1,95%CI:1.82–5.4, p<.001) and no depression (AOR=1.9,95%CI:1.1–3.3, p≤0.05) were found to have significantly association with adequate treatment seeking behavior. Conclusion This study indicates, less than half of ACS patients had adequate treatment seeking behavior. Thus, context-specific behavioral interventions, along with public awareness campaigns about ACS, should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lemlem Beza
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Bekele Alemayehu
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adamu Addissie
- Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aklilu Azazh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rebecca Gary
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Najafi H, Bahramali E, Bijan M, Dehghan A, Amirkhani M, Balaghi inaloo M. Comparison of the outcomes of EMS vs. Non-EMS transport of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Southern Iran: a population-based study. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:46. [PMID: 35331145 PMCID: PMC8944078 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00603-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the medical management of acute myocardial infarction, the transport of patients and primary care provided by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are effective in reducing the mortality and disabilities. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the outcomes of emergency medical services (EMS) vs. non-EMS transport of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in southern Iran. METHODS This is an analytical, cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of the individuals registered in Fasa Registry on Acute Myocardial Infarction (FaRMI) in the south of Iran. 2244 patients with STEMI were included in the study. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-Square test and independent t-test at a significance level of P < 0.05 in SPSS 22. RESULTS Out of the 2244 patients with STEMI, 1552 (69.16%) were male and 672 patients (29.94%) were female. 934(41.62%) patients used EMS transport to the hospital, while 1310 (58.37%) patients used non-EMS transport to the hospital. A total of 169 patients with STEMI (7.26%) expired (out-of-hospital cardiac arrest); of them, 113 (66.86%) patients did not use EMS transport to the hospital. Successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on 52 patients who used EMS transport. 27 patients also received an effective DC shock due to ventricular fibrillation (VF). Of the total number of patients, 49 had a stroke; among them, 37(75.51%) patients did not use EMS transport. CONCLUSION In the present study, the death rate in patients with acute myocardial infarction who used EMS transport was lower than those who used non-EMS transport. The health system managers and policymakers in the healthcare systems are recommended to take the necessary measures to increase public health awareness and knowledge about the use of EMS and consequently reduce the death rate and complications of acute myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hjatolah Najafi
- Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Management and Medical Information, Health Human Resources Research Center, University of Medical Sciences, ShirazShiraz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Bahramali
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center (NCDRC), Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mostafa Bijan
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, 81936-13119 Fasa, Iran
| | - Azizallah Dehghan
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center (NCDRC), Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mehdi Amirkhani
- Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Management and Medical Information, Health Human Resources Research Center, University of Medical Sciences, ShirazShiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Balaghi inaloo
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center (NCDRC), Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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Zhou Q, Tian W, Wu R, Qin C, Zhang H, Zhang H, Zhou S, Li S, Jin Y, Zheng ZJ. Quantity and Quality of Healthcare Professionals, Transfer Delay and In-hospital Mortality Among ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Mixed-Method Cross-Sectional Study of 89 Emergency Medical Stations in China. Front Public Health 2022; 9:812355. [PMID: 35141193 PMCID: PMC8818716 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.812355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTransfer delay provokes prolongation of prehospital time, which contributes to treatment delay that endangers patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A key constraint in reducing transfer delay is the shortage of emergency healthcare workers. This study was to explore the influence of the quality and quantity of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations on transfer delay and in-hospital mortality among STEMI patients.MethodsA cross-sectional study using mixed methods was conducted at 89 emergency stations in 9 districts in China's Shenzhen province. Based on a sample of 31 hospitals, 1,255 healthcare professionals, and 3,131 patients with STEMI, a generalized linear model was used to explore the associations between the quality and quantity of healthcare professionals and transfer delay and in-hospital mortality among STEMI patients. Qualitative data were collected and analyzed to explore the reasons for the lack of qualified healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations.ResultsThe analysis of the quantity of healthcare professionals showed that an increase of one physician per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay for patients with STEMI by 5.087 min (95% CI −6.722, −3.452; P < 0.001). An increase of one nurse per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay by 1.471 min (95% CI −2.943, 0.002; P=0.050). Analysis of the quality of healthcare professionals showed that an increase of one physician with an undergraduate degree per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay for patients with STEMI by 8.508 min (95% CI −10.457, −6.558; P < 0.001). An increase of one nurse with an undergraduate degree per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay by 6.645 min (95% CI −8.218, −5.072; P < 0.001). Qualitative analysis illustrated that the main reasons for low satisfaction of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations included low income, limited promotion opportunities, and poor working environment.ConclusionsThe quantity and quality of emergency healthcare professionals are key factors influencing transfer delay in STEMI patients. The government should increase the quantity of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations, strengthen the training, and improve their performance by linking with clinical pathways to enhance job enthusiasm among emergency healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhou
- Shenzhen Center for Prehospital Care, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenya Tian
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Rengyu Wu
- Shenzhen Center for Prehospital Care, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chongzhen Qin
- Shenzhen Center for Prehospital Care, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Haiyan Zhang
- Shenzhen Center for Prehospital Care, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuduo Zhou
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Institute for Global Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Siwen Li
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Institute for Global Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yinzi Jin
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Institute for Global Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yinzi Jin
| | - Zhi-Jie Zheng
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Institute for Global Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Beza L, Leslie SL, Alemayehu B, Gary R. Acute coronary syndrome treatment delay in low to middle-income countries: A systematic review. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2021; 35:100823. [PMID: 34195352 PMCID: PMC8233123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2021.100823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although morbidity and mortality rates are declining for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in most high-income countries, it is rising at an alarming pace for low to middle income countries (LMICs). A major factor that is contributing to the poor clinical outcomes among LMICs is largely due to prehospital treatment delays. This systematic review was conducted to determine the mean length of time from symptom onset to treatment in LMICs and the sociodemographic, clinical and health system characteristics that contribute to treatment delays. We conducted a comprehensive review of the relevant literature published in English between January 1990 through May 2020 using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-nine studies were included and time to treatment was defined from ACS symptom onset to first medical contact and dichotomized further as less than or >12-hours. The mean time from symptom onset to first medical contact was 12.7 h which ranged from 10-minutes to 96 h. There was consensus among studies that being older, female, illiterate, living in a rural area, and financially limited was associated with longer treatment delays. Lack of a developed emergency transportation system, poor communication and organization between community facilities and interventional facilities were also cited as major contributors for ACS treatment delays. Findings from this systematic review provide future directions to potentially reduce prehospital delays in LMICs and improve ACS outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lemlem Beza
- College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sharon L Leslie
- Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bekele Alemayehu
- College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rebecca Gary
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Psychological and cognitive factors related to prehospital delay in acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review. Int J Nurs Stud 2020; 108:103613. [PMID: 32473396 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In acute coronary syndrome the time elapsed between the start of symptoms and the moment the patient receives treatment is an important determinant of survival and subsequent recovery. However, many patients do not receive treatment as quickly as recommended, mostly due to substantial prehospital delays such as waiting to seek medical attention after symptoms have started. OBJECTIVE To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of the relationship between nine frequently investigated psychological and cognitive factors and prehospital delay. DESIGN A protocol was preregistered in PROSPERO [CRD42018094198] and a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. DATA SOURCES The following databases were searched for quantitative articles published between 1997 and 2019: Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, Psych Info, PAIS, and Open grey. REVIEW METHODS Study risk of bias was assessed with the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational, Cohort, and Cross-Sectional Studies. A best evidence synthesis was performed to summarize the findings of the included studies. RESULTS Forty-eight articles, reporting on 57 studies from 23 countries met the inclusion criteria. Studies used very diverse definitions of prehospital delay and analytical practices, which precluded meta-analysis. The best evidence synthesis indicated that there was evidence that patients who attributed their symptoms to a cardiac event (n = 37), perceived symptoms as serious (n = 24), or felt anxiety in response to symptoms (n = 15) reported shorter prehospital delay, with effect sizes indicating important clinical differences (e.g., 1.5-2 h shorter prehospital delay). In contrast, there was limited evidence for a relationship between prehospital delay and knowledge of symptoms (n = 18), concern for troubling others (n = 18), fear (n = 17), or embarrassment in asking for help (n = 14). CONCLUSIONS The current review shows that symptom attribution to cardiac events and some degree of perceived threat are fundamental to speed up help-seeking. In contrast, social concerns and barriers in seeking medical attention (embarrassment or concern for troubling others) may not be as important as initially thought. The current review also shows that the use of very diverse methodological practices strongly limits the integration of evidence into meaningful recommendations. We conclude that there is urgent need for common guidelines for prehospital delay study design and reporting.
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