Providing reliable care for patients with emergent acute myocardial infarction.

Reducing inconsistency and variability in emergency care processes increases chances for survival. Development of consistent processes for early risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndrome and provision of evidence-based therapy will reduce variability. A reproducible system of care for patients with acute coronary syndrome was developed. Results show that the current mean time to electrocardiogram was 9 minutes. The percent of patients receiving aspirin within 24 hours of arrival was 96%. Average door-to-reperfusion time was less than 90 minutes in 55% of patients. Reperfusion was accomplished by percutaneous coronary intervention for 92% of patients. Mortality for patients experiencing an acute myocardial infarction decreased 30%, from 8.9% in fiscal year 2003 to 6.2% in fiscal year 2007.