Goal

Recognizing the need for improved communication between emergency medicine physicians and interventional cardiologists, a local team of clinicians created a fast, secure, easy to use, privacy-compliant smartphone app (SMART-AMI) which allows real-time ECG review and enables rapid decision making. This study aims to support the implementation and assessment of the App across Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network (HNHB- LHIN-4). The ongoing findings of this project are being shared with a SMART-AMI Knowledge User group, with the goal of implementing the App across the remaining 16 cardiac centres in Ontario.

Study Description

This is a multi-centre, mixed methods observational study focused on emergency medicine physicians who care for patients presenting to Hamilton General Hospital with suspected ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). The study employs a pre-post design. The study uses quantitative registry data already being collected via the ongoing SMART-AMI project (e.g., STEMI database), utilization data collected from the App, and survey and focus group data from participating physicians. Survey and focus group questions address barriers and facilitators to implementing the App, and the acceptability and sustainability of its use.

CEBI’s Role

CEBI is coordinating the overall study, assisting with App implementation, and leading the evaluative component of the study.

For more information about this study, please contact CEBI by email at cebi@hhsc.ca.