Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyResearch article
Safe treatment of atrial fibrillation in the community (STAY): a pilot study of community-based care for low-risk patients with acute atrial fibrillation
- pilot study
- integrated, community-based model of care
Authors' conclusion
In our pilot study, integrated community-based care was feasible for managing low-risk patients with AF. There was no requirement for patient transport or ED evaluation; access to specialist care was rapid and subsequent hospitalisation was uncommon. Community-based care was implemented without impacting patient safety. The STAY model of care requires further assessment to assess its potential for application at scale to reduce the burden of AF and to provide streamlined community-based care.
Study context
- Population
- Low-risk patients aged ≥18 years presenting to emergency medical services (EMS) with acute atrial fibrillation (AF)recruited, of 573 patients with AF, 445 (78%) were at low risk and suitable for the STAY model of care
- Participants
- 57 patients
- Outcome
- Time to definitive specialist care and hospital admission or death within 30 days
- Follow-up
- 30 days
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Wait for either virtual care or an AFX clinic (days)
1.1±1.6
Deaths
no deaths
Hospital admission
three patients (5%)
Further findings
Paramedic treatment
- Metoprolol administered
- 54%
- Rivaroxaban administered
- 40%
Virtual care and AFX clinic attendance
- Patients receiving virtual care video-telehealth consultations
- 41
- Patients attending an AFX clinic
- 55
- Mean wait time for AFX clinic (days)
- 3.1±2.6
Original publication
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it