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[Cardiology in general hospitals. A cooperative survey on medical teams, technical means and activity]
G Hanania1, C Barnay, B Lancelin
1Centre hospitalier Robert-Ballanger, Aulnay-sous-Bois.
Insights
A 1990 national survey of French cardiology departments revealed most were established between 1974-1988, with average beds and staffing. While basic equipment was common, advanced procedures like coronary angiography and angioplasty were limited.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Services Research
- Medical Statistics
Background:
- Cardiology departments in French general hospitals have evolved significantly since their inception.
- Understanding their current status regarding personnel and equipment is crucial for healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the status, personnel, and equipment of cardiology departments in French general hospitals in 1990.
- To estimate the number of myocardial infarctions treated in these units.
Main Methods:
- A national enquiry conducted in 1990 surveyed cardiology departments in general and private non-profit hospitals.
- A prospective study in 1990 collected data on 1,030 myocardial infarctions from 110 hospitals.
Main Results:
- Most (66%) cardiology departments were established between 1974-1988, with an average of 32 beds and 7.25 coronary care beds.
- Usual technical equipment was available in 80%, but advanced procedures like coronary angiography (21%) and angioplasty (12%) were less common.
- An estimated 21,000 myocardial infarctions (60% of French cases) were hospitalized in general hospital coronary care units in 1990.
Conclusions:
- French cardiology departments in 1990 were relatively new, generally well-equipped with standard technology, but lacked widespread advanced interventional and diagnostic capabilities.
- The findings highlight regional disparities and provide a baseline for future development in cardiovascular care in France.
Abstract:
A national enquiry carried out in 1990 in the departments of cardiology of general and private non-profit making hospitals established the status of these departments and the evolution of their personnel and equipment since their creation. The enquiry involved two thirds of the cardiology departments of the general hospitals (119/180) and showed that most (66%) were established between 1974 and 1988. Implanted in fairly important cities with catchment areas of 100,000 to 400,000 people, they have an average of 32 beds (range 11 to 100) and 7.25 coronary care beds (range 4 to 19); 347 doctors work full (211) or part time (136) in these departments. These two types of work are allowed in the majority of these units (64/119). Specialist certified cardiologists practice in 62 departments (56%). The usual technical equipment is available in 80% of the units (Doppler echocardiography, exercise stress testing, Holter monitoring, right heart catheterisation). Permanent pacing is performed in 65% of these hospitals, more so in the provinces than in the Paris region. Coronary angiography is only available in 21%, radioisotopic investigations in 15% and coronary angioplasty in 12% of these centres. A prospective study performed in 1990 concerning 110 hospitals recruited 1,030 myocardial infarctions, which enabled the total number of infarcts hospitalised in the coronary care units of the general hospitals to be estimated at about 21,000 (60% of French myocardial infarctions).