Impact of a regionalised clinical cardiac support network on mortality among rural patients with myocardial infarction

Abstract

Cardiologist-supported remote risk stratification, management and facilitated access to tertiary hospital-based early invasive management are associated with an improvement in 30-day mortality for patients who initially present to rural hospitals and are diagnosed with MI. These interventions closed the gap in mortality between rural and metropolitan patients in South Australia.

Challenges and solutions in medically managed ACS in the Asia-Pacific region: Expert recommendations from the Asia-Pacific ACS Medical Management Working Group

“…A variety of cardiac networks have been successfully implemented worldwide [70]. Traditional 'hub and spoke' networks already exist in Australia, New Zealand, India, Philippines, Thailand, China and Indonesia [48,71], and have been shown to improve patient care at a regional level.…”

A call for a value based approach to laboratory medicine funding

“…For example the provision of central pathology services to rural and remote Australia is a challenge but using POCT to provide critical analytes such as troponin provides a feasible alternative that has been shown to be clinically effective [3]. POCT is also being adopted abroad with countries such as the UK looking to incorporate POCT as part of a greater use of telehealth applications to deliver more care in the home [4].…”

Salivary Diagnostics Using a Portable Point-of-Service Platform: A Review

“…These devices are designed for portability and rapid diagnosis. Portable POS devices have many advantages over larger laboratory devices, including providing clinical care in remote locations (48) and convenient in-home testing such as the self-monitoring of blood glucose (49). Using saliva as a biofluid in conjunction with a POS device ensures better patient compliance because of the simple collection method.…”