Abstract
In order to reduce the delay times from onset of symptoms to arrival in hospital, and increase the use of ambulance in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a media campaign was initiated in an urban area. An initial 3-week intense campaign was followed by a maintenance phase of 1 year. Delay times and ambulance use during the campaign were compared with the previous 21 months. Among patients admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU) due to suspected AMI, the median delay time was reduced from 3 h to 2 h 40 min and the mean delay time was reduced from 11 h 33 min to 7 h 42 min (P<0·001). Among patients with confirmed AMI the median delay time was reduced from 3 h to 2 h 20 min and the mean delay time from 10 h to 6 h 27 mm (P<0·001). We conclude that a 1-year media campaign can reduce delay times in suspected AMI, and that this effect appears to continue at 1 year, but ambulance use seems to be more difficult to influence.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 171-177 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | European heart journal |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1992 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by grants from Swedish National Heart Foundation. Kabi Vitrum, ICI-Pharma AB, AB Hassle, Wilhelm och Martina Lundgren's Foundation, The Goteborg Medical Society, Svenska Hoechst, Edsel Reklam and Referens Telemarketing AB.
Keywords
- Delay time
- Media campaign
- Myocardial infarction