Strengthening acute coronary syndrome referral network: Insights from initiatives of Penang General Hospital cardiology centre

Med J Malaysia. 2019 Aug;74(4):355-358.

Abstract

The importance of networking for the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been emphasised in the 2012 guidelines by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In Penang, the ACS referral network has the Penang General Hospital (PGH), a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)- capable hospital, with 14 other hospitals referring their patients for PCI to PGH on a daily basis. In one of its review regarding the referral methodology in the network, PGH's Cardiology centre observed gaps in the referral systems, which was leading to poor quality of referrals. To address these issues, the PGH Cardiology centre developed a standardised protocol and conducted a one-day workshop to educate medical officers about the standardised protocol. This commentary piece is a proof of this concept, and aims to share the experience and provide an overview on the initiatives by the PGH, which has resulted in improved quality of PCI referrals.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / therapy*
  • Cardiology Service, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Health Services Accessibility / organization & administration*
  • Hospitals, General / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Malaysia
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention*
  • Quality Improvement / organization & administration*
  • Referral and Consultation / organization & administration*