Patients admitted with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in New Zealand in 2007: results of a second comprehensive nationwide audit and a comparison with the first audit from 2002
Chris Ellis, Greg Gamble, Andrew Hamer, Michael Williams, Philip Matsis, John Elliott, Gerard Devlin, Mark Richards, Harvey White; for the New Zealand Acute Coronary Syndromes (NZACS) Audit Group
Heart and circulatory diseases are the commonest cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for approximately 40% of all deaths. A heart attack is a common cause of death, with 17 New Zealanders dying each day. Cardiac services can significantly improve patients outcomes if new treatments, available especially over the last 5 to 15 years, are available. The 2nd National comprehensive Cardiac Society Audit, run by busy Senior Doctors and Nurses have shown in 2002 and now again in 2007 that significant limitations exist at present. Improvements are needed, based on a 'Hub and Spoke' service, from each of the 5 Regional centres, with significant guidance and input from current clinicians: senior Doctors and Nurses who understand the complexities of Healthcare, and can improve on the current, fragmented service.