Validation of the RETRIEVE (REverse TRIage EVEnts) Criteria for Same Day Return of Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients to Referring Non-PCI Centres.

Background: There are continuing bed constraints in percutaneous coronary intervention centres (PCI) so efficient patient triage from referral hospitals is pivotal. To evaluate a strategy of PCI centre (PCIC) bed-sparing we examined return of patients to referral hospitals screened by the RETRIEVE (REverse TRIage EVEnts) criteria and validated its use as a tool for screening suitability for same day transfer of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) patients post PCI to their referring non-PCI centre (NPCIC).

Methods: From May 2008 to May 2011, 433 NSTEACS patients were prospectively screened for suitability for same day transfer back to the referring hospital at the completion of PCI.