HYBRID EVENT: You can participate in person at Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel, United Kingdom or Virtually from your home or work.

Xiaomei Chen

 

Xiaomei Chen

Rotherham General Hospital, United Kingdom

Abstract Title: Improving Thromboprophylaxis in Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation in an Acute Medical Unit: A Quality Improvement Project

Biography: Dr. Xiaomei Chen, MBBS, MRCP(UK), is an Internal Medicine Trainee (IMT) at Rotherham General Hospital. With a dedicated interest in clinical governance and cardiology, she has completed several Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs). Her recent project focused on improving thromboprophylactic therapy for patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation.

Research Interest: Background: Inappropriate antithrombotic therapy in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of both stroke and bleeding. This is particularly relevant in the acute medical unit (AMU), where an increasing number of patients are first diagnosed with AF. The updated 2021 NICE guideline on AF thromboprophylaxis recommends anticoagulation for all eligible patients based on the CHA?DS??VASc score and the use of a bleeding risk assessment tool, such as the ORBIT score, to guide safe prescribing. Aim: To improve adherence to NICE guidelines on thromboprophylactic therapy in patients with newly diagnosed AF through risk-based assessment. Methods: Electronic care records were reviewed to identify AMU patients with a new diagnosis of AF and their corresponding thromboprophylaxis prescriptions. Guideline recommendations were disseminated to AMU clinicians and subsequently across the trust through educational sessions and awareness campaigns. A re-audit was conducted to evaluate changes in compliance. Results: In the baseline audit (November 2022), 31 patients were reviewed. Compliance with antithrombotic prescribing according to CHA?DS??VASc score was 87%. Following interventions, compliance improved to 91% one year later. Use of the ORBIT score for bleeding risk assessment also increased markedly from 19% to 48%. Conclusion: Regular communication of updated guidelines and educational interventions significantly improved compliance with thromboprophylaxis in newly diagnosed AF patients. Enhanced use of bleeding risk assessment tools was also achieved. Continued monitoring and reinforcement are essential to sustain these improvements.