Key result
STEMI regionalization was associated with a 5.34 percentage point increase in admission to a PCI-capable hospital and a 0.53 percentage point reduction in 7-day mortality.
Why the study?
Although timely access to PCI improves outcomes, no studies had determined how regionalization of STEMI systems of care has affected patient care and outcomes.
Does regionalization of STEMI systems of care improve access to PCI and reduce mortality in patients with STEMI?
Observational (n=139,494)
Yes
Does regionalization of STEMI systems of care improve access to PCI and reduce mortality in patients with STEMI?
Implementation of STEMI regionalization networks significantly improves patient access to PCI and is associated with lower short-term mortality and readmission rates.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Regionalization may improve STEMI access and PCI delivery; leaves open causal outcome benefits and generalizability.
BACKGROUND: Regionalization of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) systems of care has been championed over the past decade. Although timely access to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to improve outcomes, no studies have determined how regionalization has affected the care and outcomes of patients. We sought to determine if STEMI regionalization is associated with changes in access, treatment, and outcomes. METHODS: Using a difference-in-differences approach, we analyzed a statewide, administrative database of 139 494 patients with STEMI in California from 2006 to 2015 using regionalization data based on a survey of all local Emergency Medical Services agencies in the state. RESULTS: For patients with STEMI, the base rate of admission to a hospital with PCI capability was 72.7%, and regionalization was associated with an increase of 5.34 percentage points (95% CI, 1.58-9.10), representing a 7.1% increase. Regionalization was also associated with a statistically significant increase of 3.54 (95% CI, 0.61-6.48) percentage points in the probability of same-day PCI, representing an increase of 7.1% from the 49.7% base rate and a 4.6% relative increase (2.97 percentage points [95% CI, 0.1-5.85]) in the probability of receiving PCI at any time during the hospitalization. There was a 1.84 percentage point decrease (95% CI, -3.31 to -0.37) in the probability of receiving fibrinolytics. For 7-day mortality, regionalization was associated with a 0.53 (95% CI, -1 to -0.06) percentage point greater reduction (representing 5.8% off the base rate of 9.1%) and a 1.75 percentage point decrease in the likelihood of all-cause 30-day readmission (95% CI, -3.39 to -0.11; representing 6.4% off the base rate of 27.4%). No differences were found in longer-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with STEMI in California from 2006 to 2015, STEMI regionalization was associated with increased access to a PCI-capable hospital, greater use of PCI, lower 7-day mortality, and lower 30-day readmissions.
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Shen et al. (2021) conducted an observational in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=139,494). STEMI regionalization vs. Base rate (pre-regionalization or non-regionalized care) was evaluated on 7-day mortality (0.53 percentage point reduction, 95% CI -1.00 to -0.06). STEMI regionalization was associated with a 5.34 percentage point increase in admission to a PCI-capable hospital and a 0.53 percentage point reduction in 7-day mortality.
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