SA Pathology helping to slash ED waits

17 September 2019

SA Pathology played a key role in a recent world-first trial for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome.

The study, led by Flinders University Professor Derek Chew, trialled a more sensitive cardiac blood test to detect the protein Troponin T, combined with faster follow-up testing for patients presenting with chest pain. Under national protocols, patients are tested when they arrive at an ED, then retested three hours later to compare protein levels. The trial involved follow-up tests after one hour with some patients, and after three hours with others.

SA Pathology’s Dr Penny Coates, Clinical Director Chemical Pathology said her team was involved in the study design from the start. “We set up a second panel to allow for randomised reporting of results with different thresholds, printed study specific request forms, and trained front-end and automated staff in the use of the panel,” she said. “We also provided large data extracts of all troponins done in the relevant time period.”

The study showed the one-hour protocol was safe; patients in the one-hour follow-up group spent on average one hour less in the emergency room and were significantly less likely to be admitted to hospital – 33.2 per cent compared to 45.5 per cent.

Investigations for suspected acute coronary syndrome, which includes heart attacks, account for about 10 per cent of the 7 million presentations at emergency departments across Australia every year. A significant number of these patients present with “undifferentiated” symptoms such as shortness of breath that may or may not reflect a heart problem.

The findings have the potential to significantly reduce waiting times, crowding and rates of hospital admissions without compromising safety. Prof Chew is also network director of cardiology at Flinders Medical Centre and co-leader of the lifelong health theme at SAHMRI.

Source: Cardiac test to slash ED waits, Brad Crouch, Southern Times Messenger, 11 Sep 2019