CARDIOLOGY
anticoagulant drugs. An additional 5,612 patients who were on the new anticoagulant drugs had their dose adjusted, or were taken off the drug due to clinical issues.
l All patients who were not taking their drugs regularly were sent letters highlighting the benefits of anticoagulant therapy to encourage adherence.
l Patients requiring secondary care referrals to a haematologist were highlighted.
Positive feedback
Dr John Wearne, a GP from Cheshire who took part in the review, commented: “This exercise has been hugely beneficial to patients at our practice. The Interface pharmacist analysed the data and identified the patients that we should review together. I found their input invaluable as we would never have had the time or resources to undertake a review of such complexity which ultimately has such a significant effect for our patients. The industry support which made this possible is the type of industry partnership which really is beneficial in delivering high class, patient centric care.” The clinical pharmacists from Interface Clinical Services work closely with GPs and practice staff to identify patients at risk of an AF related stroke, and provide the practice with valuable resource, enabling GPs to deliver the best outcomes for patients and ensure they receive the appropriate preventative care. Interface carry out many similar clinical reviews in primary care practices across the UK. They have more than 70 pharmacists helping GPs, practice managers, administrators, and commissioners manage long term conditions, improve patient care and maximise QOF outcomes. To date, Interface have worked in 3,470 primary care practices throughout the UK, helping
Interface clinical pharmacist Helena Young discussing AF data with a practice manager.
to improve the quality of prescribing for millions of people. Interface also work with the healthcare industry providing solutions on clinical research, market access, business intelligence, and new product indications. There has been widespread support for the review from across the healthcare industry. Professor Trevor Jones who was previously R&D director of Welcome, director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and who continues to provide healthcare advice to both the NHS and the pharma industry, commented: “These types of partnerships between the NHS and industry are invaluable. Interface’s role in providing highly trained pharmacists to provide independent advice to GPs can only help in the uptake of new NICE approved medicines. This benefits the patient, and in this case has saved millions of pounds for the NHS.” Mike Farrar, former CEO of the NHS Confederation and senior manager in the NHS for more than 20 years, added: “This type of exercise is great for patients and the NHS in terms of outcomes and savings.
As long as the data and prescribing decision is always under the control of the GP, these types of partnerships should be encouraged.” Research in this area indicates that if the NHS can target their resource to ensure patients with the greatest need get the best care and medication early in their disease it will have the best effect in achieving improved outcomes.
References:
1. National Clinical Guideline Centre. Atrial Fibrillation: the management of atrial fibrillation. Clinical guideline. Methods, evidence and recommendations. June 2014. Commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (full version).
2.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg180/documents/ thousands-of-strokes-in-people-with-common- heart-rhythm-disorder-are-avoidable-says-nice
3. National Audit Office. “Progress in improving stroke care, Report on the findings from our modelling of stroke care provision” (February 2010). NAO Report (HC 291 2009-2010). Retrieved from:
www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/ 02/0910291_modelling.pdf
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