Provider Training Module Written Tutorial
Introduction
- 1.1: The Project UPSTART Provider Education Tutorial
- 1.2: What exactly is STEMI?
- 1.3: STEMI treatment: The theory behind the “need for speed”
- 1.4: Treatment of STEMI
- 1.5: What exactly is “Project UPSTART”?
- 1.6: The four keys to STEMI identification and management
- 1.7: Recognition: the first Key Step
- 1.8: The STEMI ALERT Packet: The Trigger for Reperfusion
- 1.9: Inside the STEMI ALERT Packet
- 1.10: Individual roles of the STEMI care team
- 1.11: Completing Data Sheets A & B
- 1.12: Data Sheets A and B: The Key to Continued Success
- 1.13: STEMI ALERT Data Management: Put That Data to Work!
- 1.14: A final review of the four keys steps
Training Tutorial 1.4
Treatment of STEMI
Treatment of acute MI may involve angioplasty (PCI) or the use of “clot buster” drugs (thrombolytics). Which one is better? It depends on the patient and situation. Studies have shown that PCI is somewhat better than thrombolytics (all other things being equal) unless there is a delay in getting that patient to the PCI lab. If the delay is too great, the benefits of PCI over thrombolytics can be lost. This brings us to a very important point: In treating STEMI, the focus should usually be on time to reperfusion rather than the exact reperfusion strategy selected! A key role of project UPSTART is to streamline the routine preparation and management of STEMI patients so the physician has more time to carefully answer this exact question!
So, just how do we improve treatment times in STEMI? One would think we should have all the solutions, since so much research has been done in this area. However, it’s not that simple! People who study quality improvement understand the key to improvement is often not new knowledge, but better strategies for applying existing knowledge. Project UPSTART was created for this reason. “We” have designed a standardized process based on “the best available knowledge” and “you” have customized it “in the best available manner” to fit your institution. No sense in re-inventing the wheel!
Remember:
- During a heart attack: “Time = Muscle!”
- The more recent the myocardial infarction (MI) - the more this applies.
- Early recognition and early reperfusion are critical.
