Atrial fibrillation
National priority projects 2009-10
Atrial fibrillation now forms a programme of work within NHS Improvement and has built on the learning from the project work that was initiated by the Stroke Improvement Programme.
During 2009-10 the Stroke Improvement Programme worked with 46 project sites on five national projects across the stroke pathway. These were:
Stroke prevention in primary care: Managing atrial fibrillation
NHS Improvement's Stroke prevention in primary care project was completed in 2009 with the publication of ‘Atrial fibrillation in primary care: making an impact on stroke prevention’
This work aimed to address the detection, diagnosis and optimal therapy of patients with AF. Each project sought to establish a baseline to demonstrate improvements to changes in practice against:
- Numbers of new patients with AF identified, and their subsequent treatment
- Numbers of existing AF patients reviewed and, where necessary, subject to optimal therapy
- Establishment of a clear and agreed patient pathway for AF patients
The second phase in the programme of work was launched in October 2009. It built upon the evidence base of learning and outcomes and by applying the tools, resources, and education and training programmes developed to address the challenges.
There were initially nine sites signed up to this second phase with the aim to provide demonstrable outcomes for the improvement of: identification; diagnosis; optimal therapy and management for patients with atrial fibrillation, in order to reduce the risk of stroke.
Project sites
Anticipated outcomes
Treatment of AF patients with optimal therapy is both cost effective and has overall cost benefits to health and social care through stroke prevention. The following are anticipated project outcomes:
- Quality outcomes through addressing optimal therapy
- Innovative approaches to access and management in primary care
- Productivity through reducing inappropriate referrals to secondary care and bed days saved
- Prevention by reducing risk of stroke
National policy/strategy
The projects drew upon the following national policies:
The report highlighted that amongst patients with recognised AF, 46% of those who would benefit from warfarin are not receiving it. Out of an estimated 355,000, only 189,000 were actually receiving warfarin.
The project period has now ended and completed projects templates have been received from eight of the project sites. Some sites have submitted additional documentation. All the documents can be can be accessed on the case studies page.
Atrial fibrillation in primary care: making an impact on stroke prevention National priority project final summaries 2009
First wave of National Priority Projects