Investigating Variation in Hospital Acute Coronary Syndrome Outcomes

Over the last few years the chance of dying from a heart attack in England and Wales has reduced dramatically. Even so, there remain huge differences in mortality between hospitals. For example, up to a third of patients with a heart attack who attend hospitals in England are more likely to die than would be expected. That is, the type of treatment and the risk of death depend upon where a patient lives and which hospital they attend. In part, the variation in death may be due to the services available at the hospital or to factors such as socioeconomic deprivation. It may also relate to other factors such as depression, cardiac rehabilitation, patient experience of hospital care and whether patients take their medication after discharge from hospital.

Notably, the challenges posed by poor drug adherence to secondary prevention medications are recognised by the World Health Organisation as the highest area of priority for improving individual health throughout the world. In addition, Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are set to be the cornerstone of the evaluation of patient experiences of National Health Service quality of care.

Using statistical approaches that include measures of quality of life, we propose to examine data about heart attacks in England and investigate the 'postcode lottery of care'. Our aim, using regional data about heart attacks is to identify and measure the effects of hospital care. This research will identify hospital qualities that promote improved patient care. In doing so, best practice will be highlighted and healthcare policy changed so that all patients will have an equal chance of surviving a heart attack.

Inclusion criteria

Age > 18 years, both sexes, acute admission to the acute Trust with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Exclusion criteria

Patients at a terminal stage of any illness, and those in whom follow up would be inappropriate or impractical.