Alliance grant application for improving the care of patients in the black country with atrial fibrillation

Our project incorporates evidence-based education and quality improvement in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with atrial fibrillation. The key components are: Targeted education support and upskilling for Primary Care clinicians, arrhythmia and community nurses, and patients, incorporating innovative new CATCH ME tools, which are based on the new ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines on AF; AF screening in GP practices through the use of cost-effective, innovative Kardia™ Mobile technology; system-wide pathway changes to introduce an evidence-based integrated model of AF care.The overall approach to the project is to build on existing best practice and learning from the adoption of innovative technology both within the UK and internationally. Additionally the project is a collaboration via established networks across the Black Country, which will enable large-scale and standardised adoption of this innovation such that there is significant impact on the quality of care provided to AF patients and a reduction in the risk of stroke. Evaluation will be undertaken in terms of clinical outcomes, patient experience and cost- effectiveness as well as contributing to wider learning and evaluation through both the WMAHSM and the European-wide CATCH ME consortium.