Early assessment
Quality statement 2 - Acute Coronary Syndrome Clinical Care Standard
A patient with acute chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome receives a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and the results are analysed by a clinician experienced in interpreting an ECG within 10 minutes of the first emergency clinical contact.
Purpose
To provide early and appropriate assessment of patients with a suspected ACS.
For consumers
If you have chest pain or other symptoms that could indicate a heart attack, you will have an ECG as soon as possible. The ECG should be interpreted within 10 minutes so that any necessary emergency treatment can be provided.
For clinicians
Assess all patients with a suspected ACS with a 12-lead ECG, and interpret the results within 10 minutes of the first emergency clinical contact. This may involve facilitating referral to a clinician experienced in performing or interpreting an ECG.
For health service organisations
Ensure that systems and processes are in place in the pre-hospital and hospital settings to assess patients with symptoms of an ACS using a 12-lead ECG, and for the ECG to be analysed by a clinician experienced in interpreting an ECG within 10 minutes of the first emergency clinical contact.
For consumers
If you have chest pain or other symptoms that could indicate a heart attack, you will have an ECG as soon as possible. The ECG should be interpreted within 10 minutes so that any necessary emergency treatment can be provided.
For clinicians
Assess all patients with a suspected ACS with a 12-lead ECG, and interpret the results within 10 minutes of the first emergency clinical contact. This may involve facilitating referral to a clinician experienced in performing or interpreting an ECG.
For health service organisations
Ensure that systems and processes are in place in the pre-hospital and hospital settings to assess patients with symptoms of an ACS using a 12-lead ECG, and for the ECG to be analysed by a clinician experienced in interpreting an ECG within 10 minutes of the first emergency clinical contact.
Read Quality statement 3 - Timely reperfusion