Excellence in anticoagulant care

This document defines and describes the components of an excellent anticoagulation service.
A consensus view on what constitutes an excellent anticoagulation service for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) will support providers and commissioners in ensuring the provision of best quality practice for their local populations.

Excellence in anticoagulant care

London Clinical Networks

August 2016

Read more here.

Atrial fibrillation care improvement collaborative

"Interdepartmental collaboration and care standardization offer opportunities to improve quality of care and reduce costs for patients with atrial fibrillation. These patients are able to avoid inpatient hospitalization, benefit from a new anticoagulation option, and follow up more closely with their primary care providers in order to address long term care plans."

 Atrial fibrillation care improvement collaborative
P Robelia, S Kopecky, T Thacher
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports, 2015;4: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u208947.w3629

Read more here.

 

The use of conscious sedation in elective external direct current cardioversion

"Hospitals that are still using general anaesthesia for patients undergoing DC cardioversion for atrial fibrillation / atrial flutter should consider switching to the use of conscious sedation. This can improve efficiency, cut costs, and reduce waiting times for patients, resulting in improved clinical outcomes."

The use of conscious sedation in elective external direct current cardioversion: a single centre experience
R Lobo, T Kiernan
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2015;4: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u208437.w3377

Read more here.

Atrial fibrillation and heart valve disease: self‑monitoring coagulation status using point‑of‑care coagulometers

"Self-monitoring through use of CoaguChek XS or InRatio2 PT/INR coagulometers has the potential to be cost-saving for CCGs as the increased frequency of INR monitoring may improve health outcomes by enabling the dose of therapy to be adjusted more accurately, thereby avoiding adverse events that can result from an inappropriate dose of long-term vitamin K antagonist therapy, such as stroke and major haemorrhage."

Atrial fibrillation and heart valve disease: self‑monitoring coagulation status using point‑of‑care coagulometers: costing statement
NICE
September 2014

Read more here.