The AFIB Innovation Program
Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB) is the most common heart rhythm disorder, and its prevalence is increasing as the population ages. AFIB can raise the risk of stroke and heart failure and impact quality of life, while hospitalizations and treatment are often complex and costly. Many AFIB-related complications are preventable with proper care, yet many patients are not receiving treatment.
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The AFIB Innovation Program was created to redesign care delivery, aiming to improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs. Interventions addressed care across the spectrum: acute and emergency management, chronic primary care, patient self-management, and identification of high-risk patients for early intervention.
A key initiative was the interdisciplinary rapid access transition clinic, led by a collaborative team of Heart Rhythm Specialists, Neurologists, Internists, Family Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Researchers, Designers, and Engineers. Working across organizations including the University Health Network, St. Michael’s Hospital, and the Taddle Creek Family Health Team, the team used embedded evaluation and iterative design to continuously improve the clinic.
Following a successful pilot, the model was sustained through the Atrial Fibrillation Clinic at Women’s College Hospital, continuing to deliver patient-centered, system-level improvements in AFIB care.
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Contact: Howie Abrams
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