Manitoba Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Network Steering Committee Terms of Reference
Updated July 7, 2021
Purpose
To assist in the planning and oversight of the MB ACS Network:
Setting strategic priorities
Facilitate communication and dissemination of the MB ACS Network’s standards, protocols, and algorithms
Review and disseminate key quality indicators tracked by the MB ACS Network
Identify and address areas of concern in ACS care
Facilitate and encourage research collaboration
Address both professional and public educational needs
Develop and monitor a certification process for health facilities and providers of ACS care within the province
Background:
Cardiac Sciences Manitoba, primarily based at St. Boniface Hospital (SBH), is home to the province’s only facilities for cardiac catheterization and cardiac surgery. In recent years, the program has worked extensively with WRHA hospitals, other health regions, WRHA Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Medical Transportation Coordinating Centre (MTCC), First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Ongomiizwin Health Services and AmDocs to advance ACS care. This has been done primarily on five fronts:
Development of best practice clinical pathways and algorithms for the management ACS patients.
This focuses on patient assessment, investigation, pharmacotherapy, and methods to optimize communication through standardized protocols.
Introduction of Pre-Hospital ECG by EMS to assess chest pain patients in the field.
This focuses on optimal triage of patients with chest pain at the earliest time. Those ECG’s are immediately sent to a doctor on call 24-7 for immediate interpretation. Suitable patients are directly transported to SBH for primary PCI, others are sent to an appropriate emergency department.
Shift to Primary Percutaneous Intervention (PCI) for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients.
This facilitates the best reperfusion strategy, Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), to suitable STEMI patients discovered in the field by EMS, as quickly as possible. To achieve this, the “Code-STEMI” program was established.
Enhanced inter-facility transport of the ACS patient by working with EMS and other stake holders.
This allows fast efficient transport of STEMI patients who present directly to a community emergency department who require immediate transport to SBH for emergency PCI. This work also includes the rapid triage and transfer as necessary of NSTE-ACS (Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome).
Education of health care providers and the public.
We have run an annual education event (Heart Attack Day) to update and share best practices related to ACS Care.
Scope/Authority
The MB ACS Network Steering Committee in collaboration with stakeholders is responsible for the development of the standards for ACS care across the care continuum.
Membership
Click here to see current members.
The Co-Chairs are responsible for the day-to-day planning and management of the MB ACS Network. Members of the committee are to represent their respective discipline and act as an interface and/or resource to review and provide input on the work of the MB ACS Network and to guide the implementation of the various initiatives of the network.
Terms of Membership
Membership is a two-year commitment.
Expectations of Committee Members
Committee members will:
Actively participate in meetings
Assist in the dissemination of information as appropriate
Assist in the engagement of other relevant stakeholders within the province as appropriate
Meeting arrangements
Meetings will occur quarterly or as called by the co-chairs. The co-chairs will be responsible for setting the agenda and ensuring minutes from meetings are recorded. Decision making will be achieved through consensus.
Reporting Structure
The MB ACS Network Steering Committee reports directly to the Cardiac Sciences Lead- Shared Health Manitoba. The co-chairs will meet with the Cardiac Sciences Lead – Shared Health at least quarterly to provide an update of the committee’s work.
Resources
Meetings will be held virtually or in person. Conference room, A/V equipment and teleconferencing will be arranged by the co-chairs or designate.
Review
The terms of references will be reviewed and updated every 2 years.