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Heart failure program
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Background
Heart failure is a chronic and complex condition with high morbidity and mortality. It affects more than 300,000 Australians and its prevalence is expected to rise.
The management of heart failure emerged as a significant area following NICS consultation with stakeholders and an intensive literature review process. Major gaps were identified between practice and evidence and it was established that there were good opportunities for practical gains in the management of this condition.
The NICS heart failure program was developed to address these gaps and improve health outcomes through the early diagnosis and appropriate management of heart failure in Australia.
Program objectives
- To improve the quality of care for patients
- To assist clinicians to accurately assess, diagnose and manage heart failure
- To encourage the prescription of appropriate drugs at optimal doses, particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers
- To increase patient’s access to high quality information on heart failure and improve their self-management of the condition
Program achievements to date (2001-2006)
NICS conducted a study to identify the barriers to diagnosing and managing heart failure in primary care. The findings of this study have been published in The Medical Journal of Australia 2004; 181(2): 78-81.
Following NICS’ national study of all Australian heart failure patient publications, the Institute made four high quality booklets available in an online heart failure resources directory during 2004-2006.
NICS commissioned a study on the use and availability of echocardiography services for the assessment of heart failure in Australia (September 2003), which is currently being updated.
NICS commissioned a study on the potential improvement in health and impact on health care resources from the adoption of best practice in the use of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers in heart failure patients in Australia. The study was completed and the findings presented at the National Heart Failure Forum 2004.
NICS hosted a National Heart Failure Forum on 7th and 8th June 2004 with the theme 'Improving outcomes in chronic care.' The forum attracted over 170 clinicians and policy makers from all health care sectors. A framework of best practice strategies and proven interventions for patients, clinicians and government has been developed as a result. A forum report was published in The Medical Journal of Australia 2004; 181 (6): 297-299. A more detailed description of the forum can be found in the NICS Heart Failure Forum report.
NICS, the National Prescribing Service and the National Heart Foundation of Australia have developed a joint heart failure program of targeted interventions to improve elements of both diagnosis and management of heart failure in primary care.
The program implementation phase started in October 2004 and ended in July 2006. During this phase, 51,000 general practitioners (GPs), cardiologists, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals received targeted information on best practice heart failure diagnosis and management. In addition, educational visits and small group educational meetings were provided, in partnership with 52 Divisions of General Practice, to GPs, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals. Evaluation information on the effects of the program in relation to prescribing and use of echocardiography services will be examined in 2007.
Further information
For more information on the heart failure program contact Dr Sue Phillips, Director Research Implementation Program, on (+613) 8866 0404 or e-mail nics@nhmrc.gov.au.
