1394Better Cardiac Care Data Linkage Project: utilising cross-jurisdictional data to improve patient-flow capture. (2nd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farber, Rachel; Igic, Branislav; Alfaro-Ramirez, Maria; Nelson, Michael; Khanlari, Sarah; Francis, Catherine; Taylor, Lee
• Is Part Of: International journal of epidemiology. Volume 50(2021)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2021-09-02
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab168.196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-5771

Abstract

Abstract: Background: For patients experiencing acute myocardial infarction (AMI), particularly ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), timely revascularisation is important to optimise prognosis. The AMI patient journey often involves presentation to the closest appropriate facility and transfers between hospitals, including across jurisdictions. The Better Cardiac Care (BCC) dataset consists of cross-jurisdictional linked ambulance, emergency, hospital, outpatient, deaths, Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme records for residents of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. This dataset will be updated annually. Methods: The BCC dataset comprises 332 million records, from 18 datasets, across 6 jurisdictions. For NSW residents hospitalised for STEMI between 2013 to 2018, we compared the number of STEMI hospitalisations, the proportion of patients receiving revascularisation procedures, and the time to procedures using only NSW records versus records from all jurisdictions and Medicare Benefits Scheme. Results: Compared with NSW hospital data, including data from other jurisdictions increased the ascertainment of STEMI hospitalisations by 8.0% and procedures by 11.2% for NSW residents. This increase was greatest for residents living near state borders, increasing the number of STEMI hospitalisations by up to 210% and the percentage receiving procedures by up to 70%. Conclusions: Cross-jurisdictional data is essential to understand patient journeys of residents who live in border areas and to evaluate patient care for STEMI and AMI more broadly. Key messages: The BCC dataset is a vital asset that enables a more comprehensive view of care for AMI than has been possible to date.