Atrial fibrillation: admission rates (stroke, not on anticoagulation)
Indicator
The proportion of patients admitted to hospital for stroke with a pre-existing diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, who were not on anticoagulation.
Indicator type
Network / system level indicator.
The indicator would be appropriate to understand and report on the performance of networks or systems of providers.
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
Atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for stroke, and when strokes occur in association with atrial fibrillation levels of mortality, morbidity and disability increase. Management of atrial fibrillation can prevent or reduce the number that lead to strokes. This indicator alongside NICE's indicator on atrial fibrillation: admission rates (stroke, on anticoagulation) aims to measure the rates of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation to see the impact of the management of atrial fibrillation. It will also identify people who are not being prescribed treatment that is ineffective for stroke prevention.
Source guidance
Atrial fibrillation: management. NICE guideline CG180 (2014)
Specification
Numerator: Of the denominator, the number of patients not on anticoagulation before admission.
Denominator: All patients admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of stroke, who had a pre-existing diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.
Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.
Exclusions: None.
Data source: Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP).
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess the performance of networks or systems of providers.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-5576-3