Development of systems of care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients: policy recommendations.

The establishment of timely access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients holds great promise for improving quality of care and patient outcomes. As described in other sections of these conference proceedings, there are significant barriers to the establishment of the ideal system. Changes in policy will be required to overcome many of the obstacles that preclude the delivery of optimal care for all STEMI patients. Shortand long-term policy recommendations that can foster an ideal STEMI system environment are described below. These recommendations focus on how to maximize opportunities to improve the care of STEMI patients by enhancing the processes that are currently available but not fully implemented.