Paula Whitty

Improving the use of aspirin in myocardial infarction: a district strategy

Following a high‐profile publicity campaign across South Tyneside aimed at professionals and patients, 52.4 per cent of all patients admitted with suspected myocardial infarction during a six‐month period received 300mg of aspirin. Twelve months later GPs’ performance had improved from 25 per cent to 52.9 per cent of patients directly admitted by GPs being prescribed aspirin when first seen. Following a definite myocardial infarction 78.4 per cent of patients were discharged taking 75mg of aspirin, with no valid reason for omission in 6.6 per cent of patients. Six months after discharge 71.8 per cent of patients were still taking aspirin. Twelve months later 90 per cent of discharged patients were taking aspirin. GP PACT data showed a marked increase in prescribing 75mg aspirin during the period. The use of a publicity campaign to disseminate the message to both professionals and patients has resulted in a beneficial increase in aspirin prescribing for myocardial infarction across the district.