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The experiences and attitudes of general practitioners and hospital staff towards prehospital thrombolysis in a rural community

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Abstract

Background

In rural areas it is impossible for eligible patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to receive thrombolysis within the recommended 90 minutes unless administered in the community by the general practitioner.

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes of hospital staff and general practitioners towards pre-hospital administration of thrombolysis.

Method

General practitioners, consultant physicians and nursing staff participated in the survey.

Results

General practitioners were convinced of the added benefits of administration of thrombolysis in the community and believed the hospital had a role to play. Likewise the hospital staff agreed with the benefits of pre-hospital thrombolysis. However, they felt that the decision to thrombolyse patients should be made in consultation with the hospital.

Conclusions

Pre-hospital thrombolysis programmes must be continuously monitored and evaluated to identify important factors that may prevent wider use of thrombolytic treatment.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Public Health Medicine, NSE-NWA, Bishop Street, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal

    D. Tedstone Doherty, P. Wright & J. Cuddihy

  2. North West Immediate Care Programme, Ireland

    J. Dowling

Authors
  1. D. Tedstone Doherty
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  2. J. Dowling
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  3. P. Wright
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  4. J. Cuddihy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Tedstone Doherty.

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Tedstone Doherty, D., Dowling, J., Wright, P. et al. The experiences and attitudes of general practitioners and hospital staff towards prehospital thrombolysis in a rural community. Ir J Med Sci 175, 20–25 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03167962

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03167962

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