Gender and Racial differences in Rural NSW for Possible Admission with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Introduction: Gender and race have previously been shown to influence admission rates for presentation to rural hospitals with possible Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). The exact cause of the variance and whether it is universal is unclear. Objectives: To compare influence of gender and aboriginality on presentation and admission rates for possible ACS in two large rural referral hospitals for the period February 2018 to February 2019. Methods: The Hunter New England Health Acute Coronary Syndrome Registry was utilised to compare admission rates in two large rural referral hospitals. Aboriginality was assessed by self-identification at triage and gender from patient demographics. Admission rates were obtained from the patient management system (iPIMS) Results: Overall there was no difference in admission rate between aboriginal and non-aboriginal patients. Despite more females presenting at triage with possible ACS (55%) their admission rate was lower (25% versus 30% for males). Males had a higher 28-day mortality. There was no difference in the latter between aboriginal and non-aboriginal patients. Conclusion: In our patient cohort there was no difference in ACS admission rates between the general population and those identifying as aboriginal. Males had a higher admission rate among aboriginal and non-aboriginal groups but the 28 day mortality was lower in the female cohort.