New NICE indicators aim to improve management of atrial fibrillation

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has introduced new indicators to help GPs and clinical commissioning groups to improve the identification and management of atrial fibrillation.

NICE indicators measure the quality of care a person receives and the subsequent impact on their health, with the aim of driving care quality improvements. The two new measures will be trialled by 30 GP practices across the UK next year.

One of the new indicators will encourage care providers to record the number of people who have suffered a stroke and have not been receiving NICE recommended treatment for their atrial fibrillation, while the other will see those over the age of 65 routinely tested for atrial fibrillation and assessments made to see how often the condition is discussed with GPs.

If these two measures are found to improve the identification and management of atrial fibrillation, they could be rolled out nationwide in 2017-18.

Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive and health and social care director at NICE, said: "These indicators are a prime example of how NICE is working to enhance the quality of care in the NHS whilst recognising that we must use its scarce resources wisely."