Preventing recurrence needs to start Clinical pathways and clinical care networks that at the first admission for an acute cross hospital and health service boundaries have been shown to improve outcomes for people with an coronary syndrome ACS.11,12 The need for coordinated systems of Hospitalisations for ACS have increased since the care to manage acute events and prevent future 1990s but the average length of stay in hospital recurrences is vital. has decreased. While most hospital stays are An integrated, systems-based approach supported for three days or more, stays of one day or less are by health services and networks of services is more frequent in all age groups than they therefore central to the delivery of patient-centred were in the late 1990s, due in part to advances in care identified in this Clinical Care Standard. medical procedures.8 Key elements of this approach include: Nonetheless, one-third of patients admitted for CHD are readmitted within 24 months, with readmissions an understanding of the capacity and limitations accounting for up to a third of the total costs of of each component of the system across atherothrombotic disease.9 It is likely that at least metropolitan, regional and remote settings, some of these readmissions (and associated costs) including pre-hospital care, within and across could be prevented by reducing the gaps between hospitals, through to community and other recommended and current care. support services clear lines of communication across components of the system Systems of care can appropriate coordination so that patients receive improve outcomes timely access to optimal care regardless of how or where they enter the system.
Preventing recurrence needs to start at the first admission for an acute coronary syndrome Hospitalisations for ACS have increased since the 1990s but the average length of stay in hospital has decreased. While most hospital stays are for three days or more, stays of one day or less are more frequent in all age groups than they were in the late 1990s, due in part to advances in medical procedures.8 Nonetheless, one-third of patients admitted for CHD are readmitted within 24 months, with readmissions accounting for up to a third of the total costs of atherothrombotic disease.9 It is likely that at least some of these readmissions (and associated costs) could be prevented by reducing the gaps between recommended and current care. Systems of care can improve outcomes Clinical pathways and clinical care networks that cross hospital and health service boundaries have been shown to improve outcomes for people with an ACS.11,12 The need for coordinated systems of care to manage acute events and prevent future recurrences is vital. An integrated, systems-based approach supported by health services and networks of services is therefore central to the delivery of patient-centred care identified in this Clinical Care Standard. Key elements of this approach include: an understanding of the capacity and limitations of each component of the system across metropolitan, regional and remote settings, including pre-hospital care, within and across hospitals, through to community and other support services clear lines of communication across components of the system appropriate coordination so that patients receive timely access to optimal care regardless of how or where they enter the system.
ACS-Case-for-Improvement.docx