U of M Study: Saving Cardiac Patients At Risk ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

A new University of Michigan study finds cardiac patients may not be getting the critical care they need because of the conflicting financial needs.

National guidelines say paramedics should try to revive cardiac arrest patients in the field, before transporting them to a local hospital. But, a new U of M study finds less than half do. And one reason is money.

Comilla Sasson is a lecturer in the department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.

She says Medicare payments are tied to transporting patients to the hospital,not getting care in the field, which may be more critical to the patient's survival.

"We're spending time, money. We're crowding into this resuscitation room. And we're taking resources away from patients that have salvageable medical conditions like heart attacks and strokes," says Sasson.

Sasson says new payment policies should be developed to encourage resuscitation attempts in the field.

The study appears in the Journal, Circulation. © Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio