Implementing “Chest Pain Pathway” Using Smartphone Messaging Application “WhatsApp” as a Corrective Action Plan to Improve Ischemia Time in “ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction” in Primary PCI Capable Center “WhatsApp-STEMI Trial”

BACKGROUND: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Each hospital should implement a clinical pathway with the main objective to reduce ischemia time from diagnosis to revascularization (because this has shown to save myocardial tissues and, subsequently, patients’ lives), utilizing the most evidence-based approach and the most up-to-date management protocol. In this study, we aimed to assess the utility of structuring chest pain pathway (CPP) with the instantaneous case-by-case feedback protocol using WhatsApp and its impact on improving 2 major key performance indicators—the impact on initial emergency room (ER) door-to-electrocardiogram (ECG) time, and door-to-balloon time—in a predefined 6-month corrective action period. METHODS: A prospective, quality improvement plan was set to reduce door-to-first-ECG and door-to-balloon times to less than 10 and 90 minutes, respectively, in all acute coronary syndrome cases (including STEMI cases), from August 2020 to April 30, 2021. Several measures were done to attain the goal, including strict compliance to CPP with documentation, ruling out possible mimickers, and reducing false activation and time delays in ER. Direct feedback on cases was provided using WhatsApp messaging app on smartphones; protocol and results of time lines were accessed by all healthcare providers associated with CPP, including ER nurses, ER doctors, Cardiology residents, specialists, Catheterization laboratory nurses, technicians, and interventionalists. Bimonthly meetings with all stake holders were reinforced, and minutes of meeting were reviewed and corrective actions were implemented the next day. On a daily basis, all cases were analyzed and tabulated by a dedicated nurse and a doctor from ER, and another nurse and doctor from the quality assurance department. RESULTS: After a 6-month period of implementing improvement plan and sticking to a comprehensive chest pain clinical pathways strategy with a case-by-case review on a shared smartphone messaging application, the rate of door-to-first-ECG improved from 76% to 93% in patients with chest pain, and the door-to-balloon time targeting less than 90 minutes improved significantly from only 77% to 92% in STEMI patients. This was statistically significant with a P value of 0.0001 and 0.001, respectively, and the rate of false activation was reduced from 23% to 16% and 10% 3 and 6 months of time, respectively, with a significant P value of <0.01. Finally, a strict 100% rate of timely documentation on patients with chest pain was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: An improvement plan of implementing the CPP, cut-time policy, and using smartphone WhatsApp messaging for a case-to-case instantaneous feedback has significantly improved key performance indicators and, subsequently, ischemia time in acute coronary syndrome patients (including STEMI patients) in 6 months time, indicating that this strategy works.