Services Database Atrial Fibrillation Screening Service in Community Pharmacies

Please note this service is commissioned across multiple LPCs. Therefore, the following LPCs have the same service in their areas:

• County Durham and Darlington LPC;
• Gateshead & South Tyneside LPC; and
• North of Tyne LPC.

This service has only been added to the Community Pharmacy England Services Database once to avoid duplication. 

The Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Screening Service provides patients at high risk of AF with a consultation which gathers information and screens them for atrial fibrillation using a portable heart monitoring device called an AliveCor monitor. Patients who have this arrhythmia detected will be counselled by the pharmacist about the implications of the diagnosis and referred to their GP for on-going management.

The pharmacy consultation will:

• screen identified cohorts for atrial fibrillation using a portable heart monitor device;
• counsel the patient on the results of the analysis;
• where appropriate, send the report and refer the patient to their GP for further investigation and management;
• offer advice on a healthier lifestyle; and
• signpost the patient to other services available in the pharmacy such as a Stop Smoking Service or Weight Loss Support Service.

During the three month pilot the aim is to screen approximately 6,000 patients across the 20 sites. It is estimated that approximately 100 of those patients will have undetected AF.

The Academic Health Science Network will ensure that the recipient organisation and individuals receive training on the use of the Kardia mobile ECG device. This will include the safe use of the device, FAQs, the data collection process and any associated IG requirements. For Kardia a step by step process with photographs and video can be found alongside the online registration form at https://ecgod.co.uk/ahsn