[Considerable regional differences in visitation and initial handling of acute cardiac patients in Denmark].

Danish emergency departments (EDs) are undergoing a reorganisation in which the EDs are changed to serve as the single portal of entry for all acute patients. This survey-based study evaluates the entry to the Danish hospitals for acute cardiac patients. In 62% of the EDs there is not a cardiologist on call around the clock, thus compromising the availability of echocardiography and cardiac supervision. The handling of cardiac patients varies and the quality in the visitation and admission of these patients fluctuates. Pre-hospital findings should be used consequently to triage cardiac patients.