Quality Improvement in Atrial Fibrillation detection after ischaemic stroke (QUIT-AF).
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Kishore, Amit K.; Fletcher, Susan; Mason, Denise; Ashton, Christopher; Molloy, Jane; Fitchet, Alan
- Source
- Clinical Medicine. Sep2020, Vol. 20 Issue 5, p480-485. 6p.
- Subject
- *ATRIAL fibrillation diagnosis
*CARDIAC output
*CEREBRAL ischemia
*MEDICAL quality control
*PATIENT monitoring
*QUALITY assurance
*STROKE
- Language
- ISSN
- 1470-2118
Background Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a frequent cause of recurrent stroke but can be difficult to detect because of its episodic and often asymptomatic nature. We sought to improve rate of PAF detection through a quality improvement project (QIP) to deliver early prolonged inpatient cardiac monitoring on the stroke unit (SU). Methods A structured protocol for cardiac monitoring using 5-day event recorders was established. 'In-house' cardiac monitoring was implemented. Performance data on this change in service was analysed prospectively and summary statistics obtained. Results One-hundred and two ischaemic stroke (IS) patients undertook 5-day event recorder monitoring. Provision of monitors as an inpatient (IP) increased from 20% (pre-QIP pilot 2018) to 65.7% (during QIP). New AF was detected in 15 patients (14.7% vs 8.6% pre-QIP pilot 2018) with majority of new AF (13 patients; 19%) detected when monitors applied early (IP) after IS. Conclusion Although this study had a number of limitations, it did demonstrate that early and prolonged non-invasive IP cardiac monitoring could be delivered 'in-house' on the SU and improve AF detection rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]