Menu
16/06/2004
NHS makes 'constant improvement' in heart attack treatment
Hospital care for patients in England and Wales who have had a heart attack is constantly improving, according to an audit carried out by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
The third annual report, published today, showed that most hospitals are now reaching the 30-minute door-to-needle goal for giving patients clot-busting (thrombolytic) drugs following a heart attack.
This saves lives and has contributed to the overall decline in deaths from heart disease, the study found. Most hospitals have also improved their performance against goals since last year’s audit report.
The third annual report of MINAP - the Myocardial Infarction National Audit Project – found that, since the previous report for the year April 2002-March 2003, the percentage of hospitals achieving the door-to-needle goal has increased from 47.8% to 77.3%. Nearly all hospitals are already meeting the goals for prescribing drugs to reduce the risk of another heart attack – national averages for aspirin 97%, beta blockers 89% and statins 93%.
Before the project started in 2000 very few hospitals were reaching the goal for giving patients clot-busting drugs. In the first six months of 2001 less than 50% of patients were receiving treatment in 30 minutes. Data for the first three months of 2004 shows sustained improvement with a national average of 81% of patients achieving the 30-minute thrombolysis goal, and 49% achieving the 60-minute standard.
Dr John Birkhead, MINAP Clinical Lead, said: “This report shows evidence of continued improvement on the part of hospitals, throughout the country reflecting consistent hard work by all those responsible for the care of heart attack patients.”
National Clinical Director for Heart Disease Dr Roger Boyle said that the treatment of heart attack patients has been revolutionised over the past few years.
"Continuing to deliver an annual improvement of this magnitude will be challenging. Further progress on the 60-minute target will depend on giving thrombolysis pre-hospital. The introduction of paramedic led pre-hospital services hold the key to ensuring that every heart attack patient receives optimal treatment,“ he said.
The audit was first developed to show how hospitals were performing against goals in the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, a 10-year programme published by the Department of Health in March 2000 to improve prevention diagnosis and treatment.
(gmcg)
The third annual report, published today, showed that most hospitals are now reaching the 30-minute door-to-needle goal for giving patients clot-busting (thrombolytic) drugs following a heart attack.
This saves lives and has contributed to the overall decline in deaths from heart disease, the study found. Most hospitals have also improved their performance against goals since last year’s audit report.
The third annual report of MINAP - the Myocardial Infarction National Audit Project – found that, since the previous report for the year April 2002-March 2003, the percentage of hospitals achieving the door-to-needle goal has increased from 47.8% to 77.3%. Nearly all hospitals are already meeting the goals for prescribing drugs to reduce the risk of another heart attack – national averages for aspirin 97%, beta blockers 89% and statins 93%.
Before the project started in 2000 very few hospitals were reaching the goal for giving patients clot-busting drugs. In the first six months of 2001 less than 50% of patients were receiving treatment in 30 minutes. Data for the first three months of 2004 shows sustained improvement with a national average of 81% of patients achieving the 30-minute thrombolysis goal, and 49% achieving the 60-minute standard.
Dr John Birkhead, MINAP Clinical Lead, said: “This report shows evidence of continued improvement on the part of hospitals, throughout the country reflecting consistent hard work by all those responsible for the care of heart attack patients.”
National Clinical Director for Heart Disease Dr Roger Boyle said that the treatment of heart attack patients has been revolutionised over the past few years.
"Continuing to deliver an annual improvement of this magnitude will be challenging. Further progress on the 60-minute target will depend on giving thrombolysis pre-hospital. The introduction of paramedic led pre-hospital services hold the key to ensuring that every heart attack patient receives optimal treatment,“ he said.
The audit was first developed to show how hospitals were performing against goals in the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, a 10-year programme published by the Department of Health in March 2000 to improve prevention diagnosis and treatment.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 April 2015
Shorter People More At Risk Of Heart Disease
Shorter people are more at risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study led by Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology and Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences. The research discovered that every 2.5 inches of change in height affects the risk of coronary heart disease by 13.5%.
Shorter People More At Risk Of Heart Disease
Shorter people are more at risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study led by Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology and Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences. The research discovered that every 2.5 inches of change in height affects the risk of coronary heart disease by 13.5%.
09 June 2010
Heart Attacks Reduced By Smoking Ban
A smoke-free environment is leading to a fall in the number of heart attacks.
Heart Attacks Reduced By Smoking Ban
A smoke-free environment is leading to a fall in the number of heart attacks.
20 April 2010
97% Unaware Of 'Muffin Top' Health Risks
Most people have no idea that rolls of fat around their waistline are putting them at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, a poll reveals. While being overweight or obese in general poses a health hazard, concentrated fat deposits around the midriff – commonly nicknamed spare tyres or muffin tops – are particularly dangerous.
97% Unaware Of 'Muffin Top' Health Risks
Most people have no idea that rolls of fat around their waistline are putting them at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, a poll reveals. While being overweight or obese in general poses a health hazard, concentrated fat deposits around the midriff – commonly nicknamed spare tyres or muffin tops – are particularly dangerous.
17 October 2008
Aspirin 'Doesn't Prevent Heart Attacks'
Despite GPs prescribing the drugs to many thousands of their patients by way of prevention, new research suggests that aspirin does not after all prevent heart attacks.
Aspirin 'Doesn't Prevent Heart Attacks'
Despite GPs prescribing the drugs to many thousands of their patients by way of prevention, new research suggests that aspirin does not after all prevent heart attacks.
21 August 2009
Diabetes Drug Increases Risk Of Heart Failure
A drug, Rosiglitazone, popularly used to treat the very common type 2 diabetes, is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and death among older patients compared to a similar drug (pioglitazone), concludes a study published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com.
Diabetes Drug Increases Risk Of Heart Failure
A drug, Rosiglitazone, popularly used to treat the very common type 2 diabetes, is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and death among older patients compared to a similar drug (pioglitazone), concludes a study published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
