AF Clinic / Center of Excellence
Education – Clinical: Provider education presentation including AFib and anticoagulation overview, rate control care pathway, suggested AFib patient education, and ED algorithm.
Read MorePresentations and Graphics: Chart explanation of management for AFib patients, comparing the current state and the desired state. Includes payment processes, how payment manifests in an AFib patient, and implications. Right click on the graphic image and select “save as” to access resource.
Read MorePresentations and Graphics: Graphic illustration from 2020 HRS White Paper depicting the seven core principles of an AF Center of Excellence. Right click on the graphic image and select “save as” to access resource.
Read MorePresentations and Graphics: Chart of potential domains for accreditation for an AF Center of Excellence with specific components. Right click on the graphic image and select “save as” to access resource.
Read MorePresentations and Graphics: Figure depicting a model for team-based integrated care for patients with AFib. Includes patient involvement, technology tools, multidisciplinary teams, and access to all treatment options for AFib. Right click on the graphic image and select “save as” to access resource.
Read MorePresentations and Graphics: Figure depicting stakeholder input to consider in AF CoE implementation, with patients and caregivers centered. Right click on the graphic image and select “save as” to access resource.
Read MorePresentations and Graphics: Figure illustrating the certification process for AFib ablation centers in Germany. Includes personnel requirements (per procedure and on-call), technical requirements, organizational requirements (per procedure and on-call), and structural requirements. Right click on the graphic image and select “save as” to access resource.
Read MoreJournal Articles: OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess whether an atrial fibrillation (AF)–specific clinic is associated with improved adherence to American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) clinical performance and quality measures for adults with AF or atrial flutter; BACKGROUND: There are significant gaps in care of patients with AF, including underprescription of anticoagulation and treatment of AF risk factors. An AF specialized clinic was developed to reduce admissions for AF but may also be associated with improved quality of care.; METHODS: This retrospective study compared adherence to ACC/AHA measures for patients who presented to the emergency department for AF between those discharged to a typical outpatient appointment and those discharged to a specialized AF transitions clinic run by an advanced practice provider and supervised by a cardiologist. Screening and treatment for common AF risk factors was also assessed; RESULTS: The study enrolled 78 patients into the control group and 160 patients into the intervention group. Patients referred to the specialized clinic were more likely to have stroke risk assessed and documented (99% vs. 26%; p < 0.01); be prescribed appropriate anticoagulation (97% vs. 88%; p ¼ 0.03); and be screened for comorbidities such as tobacco use (100% vs. 14%; p < 0.01), alcohol use (92% vs. 60%; p < 0.01), and obstructive sleep apnea (90% vs. 13%; p < 0.01) and less likely to be prescribed an inappropriate combination of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (1% vs. 9%; p < 0.01).; CONCLUSIONS: An AF specialized clinic was associated with improved adherence to ACC/AHA clinical performance and quality measures for adult patients with AF. (J Am Coll Cardiol EP 2020;6:45–52) © 2020 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.
Read MoreJournal Articles: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major public health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. AF is associated with increasing health care costs and a higher risk of stroke with increasing comorbidities and age. Despite well-written guidelines for AF care, standardized management is lacking. Therein lies an opportunity to create AF centers of excellence (AF CoEs) with a patient-centered integrated focus and approach that can benefit patients and health care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists and technologists) alike.
Read MorePresentations and Graphics: Infographic depicting considerations, challenges, and questions to address when managing AFib clinic growth.
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