Mobile ECG devices available at no cost in order to improve the detection of AF

The SW AHSN is now calling for expressions of interest from commissioners and providers in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon and Somerset who wish to obtain mobile ECG devices to improve the detection of Atrial Fibrillation (AF). The SW AHSN has 250 devices available which have been procured by NHS England.

Strokes are a major cause of death and disability in the UK. Up to a third of strokes are caused by blood clots that form as a result of heart arrhythmia, particularly Atrial Fibrillation (AF). These AF-related strokes also tend to be more serious, and have greater impact on patients’ lives than non-AF strokes.

An estimated 18,000 people in the south West (Somerset, Devon, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly) have undiagnosed AF (PHE 2017).

The detection of AF is key to preventing strokes and opportunistic pulse rhythm checks using mobile ECG technology has been demonstrated to be an effective, low cost method of achieving this. Devices can be used in a range of settings by a range of staff or loaned to patients for self-testing.

As part of the national drive to improve care along the whole AF pathway (NICE CG180) NHS England has procured a range of mobile ECG devices to improve detection and asked AHSN to manage their deployment, monitor their usage and report on their impact on reducing the gap between observed and predicted AF.

All AHSNs have been allocated funding based on population size and for the SW AHSN this allocation will purchase 200 AliveCor Kardia Mobile devices and 50 WatchBP machines.

NOW CLOSED: expressions of interest (EOI) from Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), primary care, community care, secondary care and other NHS providers who can clearly demonstrate how these devices will be used to improve detection of AF.

Consideration should also be given to how mobile ECG devices will be incorporated into the patient pathway and how further investigations and treatment will be initiated in a timely manner for those identified as having ‘possible AF’.

What do you need to do?

Complete the NHS England ECG Device EOI online form by 26 November.

What happens then?

We will review the EOIs and contact you to discuss further.

The SW AHSN’s role

The SW AHSN will support successful applicants to set up their local projects, and will provide training on the set-up and use of the devices and associated data requirements.

Other important information

• Baseline AF data is required (e.g. GraspAF) before devices are issued (primary care and CCGs).
• Monthly/quarterly data on use and number of ‘possible AF’ detections will be required (details to be confirmed).
• AliveCor Kardia requires an ‘nhs.net’ enabled smartphone or tablet (these are not provided).
• NHS England requires the ‘nhs.net’ email addresses of everyone downloading the AliveCor app (for central data collection purposes).

Please complete the expression of interest form by 26 November 2017.

If you require more information or would like to discuss your local opportunities, please contact suzy.taylor@swahsn.com