Resources
These resources bring together methodologies, resources and support for commissioners and clinicians.
To navigate the available resources, search by resource type or use keywords.
Public Health England CVD Ambitions
A new coalition led by Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England has announced the first ever national ambitions to improve the ... read more
NHS Stroke action will save hundreds of lives
A new £9 million programme to spot heart conditions earlier will save at least 200 lives and offer protection to thousands more, NHS ... read more
Atrial fibrillation: time for active case finding
Substantial evidence has now accrued to robustly support systematic case finding using pulse regularity checks in general practice to ... read more
Quality and Outcomes Framework, Achievement, prevalence and exceptions data 2018-19 PAS
The objective of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is to improve the quality of care patients are given by rewarding practices ... read more
Effectiveness of Systematic Screening for the Detection of Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. ... read more
A Randomised Controlled Trial and Cost-Effectiveness Study of Systematic Screening – The SAFE Study
To determine the most cost-effective method of screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) in the population aged 65 years and over, as well read more
Primary Care Atrial Fibrillation Pathway
Primary Care AF pathway for patients with suspected Atrial Fibrillation. read more
Early prolonged ambulatory cardiac European Journal of Medical Research Open Access monitoring in stroke (EPACS): an open-label randomised controlled trial
Cardioembolism in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a preventable cause of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or ischaemic stroke; ... read more
SWAHSN Atrial Fibrillation Poster – Opportunistic AF screening in a podiatry setting
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrthymia and often goes unnoticed until complications occur, the most significant ... read more
Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke
Atrial fibrillation is a leading preventable cause of recurrent stroke for which early detection and treatment are critical. However, ... read more
Opportunistic Atrial Fibrillation (AF) screening in a podiatry setting, Torbay, Devon
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrthymia and often goes unnoticed until complications occur, the most significant ... read more
Know Your Pulse: Raising awareness to reduce atrial fibrillation-related strokes for the public and health professionals
The Innovation Agency, North West Coast Academic Health Science Network has run several campaigns to help highlight awareness of Atrial read more
Overview of AF – Don’t Wait to Anticoagulate
AF is a condition that affects the heart, causing it to beat irregularly and too fast. When this happens, blood does not flow ... read more
AF Raising Awareness Scratch Card
This scratch card developed by North East and North Cumbria AHSN is designed for use in community pharmacies and community settings to ... read more
Using Kardia by AliveCor
Tips to take a good reading using the AliveCor. Including possible outcomes and recommended action. read more
SOS-AF – the AF screening service at Addenbrookes Hospital Video
The Screening, Optimising and Supporting stroke prevention in AF (SOS-AF) service was launched in October 2017 by Cambridge University ... read more
Mike Larking from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service – Diagnostick Video
Mike Larking from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tells how fire crews are supporting the Innovation Agency by testing pulses during ... read more
Dr Alena Machell – Kardia Device Readings
Dr Alena Machell talks about the use of Kardia to detect AF at her surgery in the Wirral. read more
Merseyside GP Chris Mimnagh who uses the Kardia mobile device on his patients to detect AF
GP Chris Mimnagh uses Kardia mobile device to detect AF. read more
Primary Care Talks
Primary Care Talks is a series of podcasts produced by the Eastern AHSN that discuss innovative developments in the primary health and ... read more
Supporting Clinicians to Identify Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in North Lincolnshire
Have a look at how Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network works with GPs and community pharmacists to help them ... read more
Y&H AHSN Atrial Fibrillation: Use of AliveCor in Community Pharmacies (Ireland Wood Pharmacy Leeds)
Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network working with community pharmacists to help them identify people with Atrial ... read more
AF Stroke prevention programme in the North West Coast
Atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, is a real priority for the health service in the North West Coast as undetected AF can ... read more
An interview with National Clinical Lead for Stroke Medicine – Dr Debbie Lowe
National Clinical Lead for Stroke Medicine Dr Debbie Lowe explains what is atrial fibrillation (AF); how it can lead to severe strokes; read more
An interview with Dr Andrew Hill on the importance of stroke prevention
Dr Andrew Hill highlights the importance of detecting and managing atrial fibrillation (AF) to prevent strokes in the region. read more
Stroke Association
Stroke Association support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. Providing specialist support, fund critical research and ... read more
BHF Link – checking your pulse
How to check your pulse. You may be able to tell if you have a regular or irregular heart beat by checking your pulse. This is ... read more
North West Coast AHSN – Identification of AF Link
North West Coast AHSN. Innovative approaches to increase the identification of AF in the community and primary care. Including MyDiagnostick. read more
HIN AF Detection Device Review Link
Health Innovation Network’s AF Detection Devices Review – This report aims to capture current practice, summarise the ... read more
QIPP Case Study – Microlife Link
QiPP Case study, use of Microlife Watch BP Home A. NHS Erewash CCG Board identified the reduction of health inequalities with a ... read more
HIN AF Detection Device Review – Purchasing Issues Link
Issues to consider when purchasing devices for AF detection. read more
Wandsworth CCG Pulse Check Link
Wandsworth CCG undertook pulse checks in Flu clinics. read more
Know Your Pulse PDF Link
Know Your Pulse PDF Handout – Arrhythmia Alliance read more
Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG Link
Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG Locally Commissioned Service Specification for AF Check in Influenza Vaccination Programme. read more
Dorset CCG Screening Link
Opportunistic screening for Atrial Fibrillation for over 65 year olds during flu clinics and anticoagulation for the ... read more
AHSN North East and Cumbria Podiatry Link
The Academic Health Science Network for North East and Cumbria, Podiatry and AF case finding. Patients with diabetes undergo an annual ... read more
Bromley CCG Pulse Check Link
Bromley CCG has embedded pulse checks within all of their commissioned services. read more
QOF Data Link
The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is a voluntary annual reward and incentive programme for all GP surgeries in England, ... read more
Southwark CCG Link
Southwark CCG raising awareness with the Know your Pulse at work campaign. read more
Arrhythmia Alliance – Rhythm Week Link
Every June, the Arrythmia Alliance organises Heart Rhythm Week, and the AF Association's International AF Awareness Week occurs every ... read more
Arrhythmia Alliance Link
A-A is a coalition of charities, patient groups, patients, carers, medical groups and allied professionals to promote timely and ... read more
AFA Healthcare Pioneers Report – Showcasing Best Practice In AF 2018
The AF Association – Healthcare Pioneers Report 2018 includes 38 articles describing ways of finding patients with undiagnosed AF ... read more
AFA Healthcare Pioneers – Showcasing Best Practice In AF 2017
The case studies in this report are excellent examples of innovative, efficient and effective AF services. Commissioners across the NHS read more
AFA EU Healthcare Pioneers – Defining Best Practice In AF 2016
The 2016 EU Healthcare Pioneers Report captures the best practice principles and case studies to show ways to improve detection ... read more
AFA Healthcare Pioneers Report – Showcasing Best Practice In AF 2015
This report, which has been developed by the AF Association and endorsed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Atrial Fibrillation ... read more
AFA Healthcare Pioneers Report – Showcasing Best Practice In AF 2019
The AF Association – Healthcare Pioneers Report 2019 includes 15 case studies describing best practice to establish or grow existing ... read more
Using mobile ECG devices to increase detection of AF
This paper outlines the experience and learning from one AHSN, aiming to review the feasibility of using mobile ECG devices in a range ... read more
Mobile ECG Evaluation Report
The rollout of mobile ECG devices by the Academic Health Science Network programme was established to test if an intervention in the ... read more
Global Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week – Match Day Programme
As part of global awareness week, the Health Innovation Network published this article in the Millwall match day programme to raise ... read more
Opportunistic testing for Atrial Fibrillation using Alivecor in an Urgent Care Centre
It is well-known that early identification of atrial fibrillation (AF) has the ability to reduce AF-related strokes that are associated read more
Improving the detection and management of AF in the North West Coast
The Innovation Agency (Academic Health Science Network for the North West Coast) has been one of a number of organisations to deliver ... read more
NENC Scratchcard Case Study
NENC developed a scratch card for use by people coming into community pharmacies which would stimulate people to ask the community ... read more
Opportunistic pulse checks in primary care to improve recognition of atrial fibrillation
This case study evaluates the impact of a systematic programme to promote pulse regularity checks in general practice on their uptake ... read more
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Webinar Questions
A set of questions and answers from the 24th September Webinar delivered by Dr Yassir Javaid. read more
North East and North Cumbria AHSN – Implementation of a Small Hand-Held Pulse- Checking Device
In the North East and North Cumbria region, 86,626 people are estimated to be living with AF, with approximately 16,209 of those ... read more
Intervention to improve pulse regularity check over age 65 years
A list of how to improve pulse checks for patients age 65 years and over. Including educational sessions, on screen alerts and ... read more
Innovation Agency Case Study – Atrial Fibrillation Collaborative
The Innovation Agency created a North West Coast Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Collaborative to enable GPs to better identify patients with ... read more
Pulse checks for Atrial Fibrillation detection during diabetes foot checks
This case study discusses whether training podiatrists to provide opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) during read more
Innovation Agency Case Study – Recruiting Firefighters to prevent strokes
A partnership with firefighters and clinical commissioners in Cheshire led to 201 people in 18 months being identified with ... read more
Diabetes Podiatry & Atrial Fibrillation Brochure
A three-month pilot foot pulse-checking project aimed at increasing the diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) identified a number ... read more
AF Champions
The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become more complex over the last decade which, coupled with the increasing ... read more
Kardia in ED Paper
Multi-centre randomised controlled trial of a smartphone-based event recorder alongside standard care versus standard care for patients read more
Oxleas RCPsych Conference Mobile ECG Poster
This information poster discusses the use of single-lead ECGs. It evaluates the quality, the accuracy and compares the QTc of ... read more
AF detection in GSTT podiatry paper for podiatry now
This case study covers the importance of early detection and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors to help patients live longer. read more