BACKGROUND The release pattern of copeptin during the initial 36 h of spontaneous acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has received relatively little investigation but may provide important information on optimal timing of diagnostic measurements. METHODS We investigated the release pattern of copeptin and cardiac troponin T in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Blood samples...

OBJECTIVE To ascertain the frequency with which paramedics follow protocols for the administration of aspirin to patients to whom an ambulance is called for chest pain associated with suspected ischaemic heart disease. METHODS Ambulance services in England and Wales who had conducted a recent aspirin administration audit were identified through the National Clinical Effectiveness Programme fo...

"Reforming Emergency Care" has huge implications for ambulance services to develop their future role and the opportunity to improve patient care. This article aims to stimulate debate on the effect on ambulance services in the United Kingdom.

Ambulance redeployment is the practice of repositioning ambulance fleets in real time in an attempt to reduce response times to future calls. When redeployment decisions are based on real-time information on the status and location of ambulances, the process is called system-status management. An important performance measure is the long-run fraction of calls with response times over some time ...