Abstract
Background: Prior studies demonstrate that effective secondary prevention therapies are underutilized in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) at hospital discharge. At a US tertiary center, we developed and encouraged providers to complete a simple “Acute MI Discharge Worksheet” (MIDW) designed to educate patients, prompt caregivers, and provide chart documentation regarding evidence-based therapies post-MI.
Methods and Results: The MIDW was introduced in May of 2000 with use encouraged in all surviving patients with MI. We calculated a patient discharge score by summing the number of quality indicators (aspirin use, beta-blocker use, ACE-inhibitor use, smoking cessation, lipid-lowering therapy, cardiac rehabilitation referral) and compared documentation of quality indicators at discharge between patients without (Group I, n = 65) and with (Group II, n = 60) the MIDW. Group II was subdivided into those with an incomplete worksheet (Group IIa, n = 26), and those with a completed worksheet (Group IIb, n = 34). Greater documentation of secondary prevention indicators occurred in patients with incomplete and completed discharge forms present. Mean Discharge scores were significantly higher for Group II vs. Group I (4.98 vs. 3.88, p < 0.0001), and Group IIb vs. Group IIa, (5.47 vs. 4.35, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: A simple “Acute MI Discharge Worksheet” was associated with better adherence and documentation of evidence-based post MI care and be a useful component to improve post MI care.
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Nori, D., Johnson, J., Kapke, A. et al. Use of Discharge-Worksheet Enhances Compliance with Evidence-Based Myocardial Infarction Care. J Thromb Thrombolysis 14, 43–49 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022014321328
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022014321328