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ICare-FASTER Improving care by FAster risk-STratification in the EmeRgency dept.

Year:
2019
Duration:
57 months
Approved budget:
$1,152,385.00
Researchers:
Dr Martin Than
Health issue:
Cardiovascular/cerebrovascular
Proposal type:
Health Delivery Project
Lay summary
New Zealand was the first country in the world to have access to and test the next generation of bedside blood test for heart attacks. Importantly, we showed the test could safely exclude in more than 50% of the patients the possibility that they were having a heart attack with just a single blood sample taken when they first arrive in the emergency department. Most importantly, the test is quick, taking only about 15 minutes (compared to 1-2 hours at a central laboratory). Therefore, this test could markedly shorten the time needed to reassure patients they are not having a heart attack, enable more patients to be released early from hospital, and reduce emergency department overcrowding. We will monitor the implementation of this new test in ten diverse hospitals throughout the country in order to assess how quickly and efficiently it works in practice.