Rapid Access Atrial Fibrillation Clinic

We aim to see patients who present to our Emergency Department, primary health services or other health services with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) within 14 days of discharge/referral in a AF clinic.

The clinic will be available to patients in the region through referral from their treating physician/GP.

Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services:
• Recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
•    Atrial fibrillation where anticoagulation is contraindicated
•    Atrial fibrillation with reduced left ventricular function or moderate valvular disease
•    Atrial fibrillation that is unresponsive to medical management and that requires further advice on, or review of, the current management plan.

Information that must be provided
•    details of all relevant signs and symptoms
•    current and previous 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings, particularly those demonstrating the arrhythmia
•    details of previous medical management including the course of treatment and outcome of treatment
•    current and complete medication history (including non-prescription medicines, herbs and supplements)
•    past medical history and comorbidities
•    liver function tests
•    urea and electrolyte results
•    full blood examination results
•    Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level.

How

Current BCH Rapid Access Cardiology Referral Form MR/310 or standard health service referral letter with:
• TTE and Holter results if available or request on same referral
• most recent set of pathology or request (U&E’s, FBE, TFT, Lipids, Ca, Mg, PO4, coag, fasting gluc)
• any addition cardiac investigations or specialist reports.

Email referrals to: access@basscoasthealth.org.au

Why

Atrial Fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrythmia and contributes to significant burden upon Victorians as the leading cause of stroke and a frequent cause of hospital admission.

The Rapid Access AF clinic aims to:
• improve access to timely, evidence based, AF care
• increase appropriate anticoagulants for stroke prevention
• provide arrythmia management through rate or rhythm control
• identify management of risk factors and concomitant diseases.