Atrial fibrillation: review of anticoagulation
Indicator
The percentage of patients with atrial fibrillation, currently treated with an anticoagulant, who have had a review in the preceding 12 months which included:
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assessment of stroke/VTE risk
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assessment of bleeding risk
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assessment of renal function, creatinine clearance, FBC and LFTs as appropriate for their anticoagulation therapy
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any adverse effects related to anticoagulation
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assessment of compliance
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choice of anticoagulant.
Indicator type
General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.
This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators
To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide
Rationale
Reviewing the quality of and need for anticoagulation at least annually can ensure that a person's risks of stroke and of having a major bleed are as low as possible.
Source guidance
Atrial fibrillation: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG196 (2021), recommendations 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3 and 1.6.16
Specification
Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator who have had a review in the preceding 12 months which included:
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assessment of stroke/VTE risk
-
assessment of bleeding risk
-
assessment of renal function, creatinine clearance, FBC and LFTs as appropriate for their anticoagulation therapy
-
any adverse effects related to anticoagulation
-
assessment of compliance
-
choice of anticoagulant.
Denominator: The number of patients with atrial fibrillation, currently treated with an anticoagulant.
Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.
Exclusions:
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patients aged 18 years and under
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patients not prescribed an anticoagulant in the preceding 6 months.
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-6015-6