National Goals and Perspectives for Improving Patient Care: the National Heart Attack Alert Program

Abstract

The National Heart Attack Alert Program (NHAAP) is the most recent of the National Education Programs developed and promoted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The primary goal of this educational initiative is to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), including infarct-related sudden death. The NHAAP is similar in scope to the institute’s other well-known programs, including the National High Blood Pressure Education Program and the National Cholesterol Education Program. It was developed on the recommendation of a symposium of experts convened by the NHLBI in October 1990 to discuss barriers to early identification and treatment of individuals with symptoms and signs of AMI, and to present specific recommendations to the NHLBI for addressing and resolving these issues within the context of a National Education Program. Three phases of delay in the treatment of these patients were identified:

• Patient and bystander recognition of symptoms and signs of AMI, and delayed actions in response to these symptoms

• Prehospital actions by health care professionals and emergency medical service (EMS) providers

• Hospital actions by health care professionals at the hospital