Hartlepool & Stockton Health recently launched a project to equip healthcare professionals within the federation with an ECG device, allowing them to screen patients for a potential heart condition when they attend GP appointments.
The AliveCor device allows GPs to screen suitable patients for undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation (AF), which is a leading cause of stroke and is the most common heart rhythm disturbance.
There are one million cases of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) currently diagnosed in England. However it remains significantly under-diagnosed and it’s estimated that up to half of people with AF are currently undetected.
The AliveCor Mobile ECG is an app that runs on a compatible smartphone or tablet and records accurate ECGs and heart rate anywhere, at any time.
To take an ECG the patient rests it on their fingers or chest to record an ECG in 30 seconds. Results are known immediately, meaning GPs can provide a result for patients who then have the peace of mind of knowing whether or not AF has been found.
Dr Yusuf Soni, Innovations Director at H&SH, said: “This is a really great project, enabling us to equip GPs to identify patients who may have an undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation. This also helps us take a more preventative approach to this condition, resulting in a reduction stroke - significantly improving health outcomes in the area and importantly patient quality of life. I have also attached a proforma that we are using in our practice for screening of AF for all out chronic disease patients review and would be happy to chat with member practices if they are interested doing something similar.
“The service will be available through the evening Extended Access hubs, where we have 26,000 patient contacts a year, so it has the potential to have a huge impact on health in Hartlepool and Stockton.”
The average prevalence across the entire population in Hartlepool and Stockton is 1.8%, where it should be around 2.4%. In effect this means there are approximately 1800 people with undiagnosed AF, who are at risk of stroke.
The AliveCor device allows GPs to screen suitable patients for undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation (AF), which is a leading cause of stroke and is the most common heart rhythm disturbance.
There are one million cases of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) currently diagnosed in England. However it remains significantly under-diagnosed and it’s estimated that up to half of people with AF are currently undetected.
The AliveCor Mobile ECG is an app that runs on a compatible smartphone or tablet and records accurate ECGs and heart rate anywhere, at any time.
To take an ECG the patient rests it on their fingers or chest to record an ECG in 30 seconds. Results are known immediately, meaning GPs can provide a result for patients who then have the peace of mind of knowing whether or not AF has been found.
Dr Yusuf Soni, Innovations Director at H&SH, said: “This is a really great project, enabling us to equip GPs to identify patients who may have an undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation. This also helps us take a more preventative approach to this condition, resulting in a reduction stroke - significantly improving health outcomes in the area and importantly patient quality of life. I have also attached a proforma that we are using in our practice for screening of AF for all out chronic disease patients review and would be happy to chat with member practices if they are interested doing something similar.
“The service will be available through the evening Extended Access hubs, where we have 26,000 patient contacts a year, so it has the potential to have a huge impact on health in Hartlepool and Stockton.”
The average prevalence across the entire population in Hartlepool and Stockton is 1.8%, where it should be around 2.4%. In effect this means there are approximately 1800 people with undiagnosed AF, who are at risk of stroke.
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