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Financial Impact of Acute Coronary Syndromes: The Need for New Care Delivery Models

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Short Stay Management of Chest Pain

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

Abstract

Evaluation and management of the acute chest pain patient in a cost-efficient manner that optimizes clinical outcomes remains a challenging and daunting task for the health-care system. The spectrum of chest pain patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) ranges from those with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and potentially immediate life-threatening hemodynamic compromise to those without any underlying cardiac disease. The ideal health-care delivery structure is one that is poised to intercept any patient along this continuum at the point of entry and quickly and appropriately triage the patient to the most efficient, evidence-based treatment strategy: patients requiring high intensity of services are expeditiously identified and managed; those without significant disease are assessed to avoid unnecessary admissions; and those with hidden ischemia and potential impending cardiac events are evaluated to minimize inappropriate discharge. The chest pain unit (CPU) has evolved as an operational mechanism to optimally fulfill these clinical needs, improve quality, enhance clinical outcomes, and reduce overall costs.

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  1. Sieck HealthCare Consulting, 9431 Jeff Hamilton Road, Mobile, AL 36695, USA

    Sandra Sieck

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  1. Sandra Sieck
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    © 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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    Sieck, S. (2009). Financial Impact of Acute Coronary Syndromes: The Need for New Care Delivery Models. In: Cannon, C., Peacock, W. (eds) Short Stay Management of Chest Pain. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-948-2_2

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-948-2_2

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    • Publisher Name: Humana Press

    • Print ISBN: 978-1-60327-947-5

    • Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-948-2

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