Post-myocardial infarction rehabilitation and secondary prevention in hospitals.

BACKGROUND

Norwegian studies have documented poor cardiovascular risk factor control and a high incidence of new cardiovascular events in myocardial infarction patients. There is little knowledge about the scope of secondary prevention treatment and cardiac rehabilitation in Norwegian hospitals. Therefore, we wanted to conduct a survey of discharge routines and outpatient follow-up after myocardial infarction.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: In October 2018, the heads of cardiology departments and nurse managers/physiotherapists at cardiology outpatient clinics at all Norwegian hospitals (N = 51) were contacted and asked to take part in a telephone interview.

RESULTS

A total of 40 doctors (78 %) and 51 nurses/physiotherapists (100 %) conducted the telephone interview. Eleven hospitals used standardised discharge summary templates with treatment targets and expected follow-up. Ten hospitals offered routine outpatient follow-up. A total of 47 hospitals (92 %) offered multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation, 'heart school' classes or cardiac exercise training, and of these 9 (18 %) offered multidisciplinary comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in line with international recommendations.

INTERPRETATION: The survey revealed considerable differences in reported discharge routines and the provision of cardiac rehabilitation and outpatient follow-up at Norwegian hospitals.