After conducting an audit, what should be the next step if only 94 percent of heart attack patients received aspirin within 24 hours?

Determining the reasons for the missed doses is a crucial next step after identifying that only 94 percent of heart attack patients received aspirin within the recommended time frame. This step involves a thorough analysis to understand the underlying factors contributing to the discrepancy.

By investigating the causes, healthcare professionals can uncover specific barriers or issues that led to non-compliance. These might include workflow inefficiencies, lack of awareness among staff about the importance of timely aspirin administration, patient-specific factors, or other systemic challenges. Understanding these reasons is essential for developing targeted interventions and strategies that can enhance patient care and ensure adherence to best practices in medication administration.

Improving processes based on the findings will lead to better outcomes for patients and help achieve compliance with clinical guidelines. This approach also fosters a culture of continuous quality improvement within the healthcare setting.