Innovate AFIB

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequently encountered arrhythmia for which patients are admitted to the hospital. Atrial fibrillation can be life threatening, as it is associated with extensive comorbid conditions and adverse consequences such as increased mortality and significant morbidity, due to risk of stroke and heart failure. The hospitalizations and treatment for atrial fibrillation can be challenging, costly and resource intensive. For example, the current use of anticoagulants to reduce risk of stroke poses challenges since it requires continuous management, lab monitoring and physician involvement due to potential bleeding complications. Additionally, it is onerous for patients to have their anticoagulation frequently checked and monitored. Moreover, because patients are sent home from the hospital with instructions to contact their primary care provider, it is difficult to assess if and how they are being managed, and whether benchmarking has been established to ensure proper standards of care. Furthermore, the varying patient ages, severity and types of symptoms, and comorbidities associates with atrial fibrillation, make it difficult to adopt a universal rate or rhythm control strategy to achieve hemodynamic stability. The challenges associated with the treatment of atrial fibrillation require an effective infrastructure, process or management system in place for the delivery of care.

The goal of Innovate AFIB is to improve the system and process of care for atrial fibrillation that not only reduces overall costs to the healthcare system itself, but more importantly improves patients’ quality of life. We hope to accomplish this by applying Lean and value-based principles to re-design the complete care process for atrial fibrillation.

Download our white paper "Reconnecting the Pieces to Optimize Care in Atrial Fibrillation.

 

 

 

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Information about atrial fibrillation - what it is, it's effects and possible treatments.