There is a current lack of knowledge about whether it can take different lengths of time – variability – to receive medical care for acute pain/discomfort in the chest, depending on which hospital a patient is taken to and to which patient group they belong
The project tests the hypothesis that there is a great variability in the time elapsed before receiving medical care for acute pain/discomfort in the chest, between hospitals and between different patient groups. These time differences must be eliminated.
The study will encompass all the patients in the municipality of Göteborg seeking medical care during the period from 15 September to 15 December 2008 (n=2 500). A survey has been done with respect to time elapsed before receiving medical care (assessment and treatment).
The preliminary results of the study are expected to show that there is great variability between hospitals and between patient groups.
Impartial medical care is one of the fundamental principles in the ethics of the care industry. This present study will form the basis for improvements with the objective of eliminating the variability in the time elapsed before medical care for acute pain/discomfort in the chest.