Cardiology in Community practice, Healthway Medical Practice: Dr Julie Ong, Nurse Donna Datoon, and receptionist, Mirla with WentWest Practice Coordinator, Jake Cronin
5 May 2022
We are proud to launch a new cardiology initiative under our joint Western Sydney Care Collective (WSCC) program with Western Sydney Local Health District. Cardiology in Community (CIC) aims to improve the early detection of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and ensure integrated, coordinated care for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Following the WSCC principles, CIC takes a whole-of-system approach to enable the delivery of value-based care in the community, ensuring that health care is outcome-focused and patient-centred, and provided at the right time, in the right place, the first time.
The aim of CIC is to strengthen participation and screening to improve the identification of people who are at risk of cardiovascular disease, in turn supporting ongoing management of atrial fibrillation in a general practice setting. Resources and tools are also available to support patients through the program, including:
- GoShare information bundles to help increase health literacy around CVD and AF
- Direct access to specialty advice through GP Support Line on 1300-972-915
- Localised referral pathways through Western Sydney HealthPathways
Helping Patients Access the CIC Program
As a GP of a patient in CIC, you will benefit due to the greater connectivity and ease of referral to specialist services. You will be part of a team engaged in comprehensive, streamlined handover of care for patients who leave hospital or Rapid Access and Stabilisation Services (RASS), ensuring you are kept informed and included in the patient’s care process.
CIC is designed to support patients in Western Sydney aged between 45-75 years old who have the following co-morbidities and/or lifestyle factors that could increase their likelihood of developing AF:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Sleep Apnea
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Stroke
Practices can work on CIC as part of their Practice Incentive Program Quality Improvement (PIP QI) measures or participate in other programs such as Heart Foundation’s ‘Text to Detect’ program.
To find out more about our CIC program, speak to your Practice Development Team Lead or visit the Western Sydney Care Collective website.
CIC Success Stories
Dr Ong, Lead GP at Healthway Medical Practice, has shared, “Because of our recent CIC screening of patients, we have picked up atrial fibrillation in two patients so far. One of the patients, aged 67 years old, was due to have surgery four days later and using the remote monitoring ECG device Alivecor by Kardia, we were able to detect atrial fibrillation”. This resulted in Dr Ong contacting the cardiologist who advised to start the patient on medication immediately and be referred to further testing prior to their surgery. Dr Ong is very grateful for the CIC program for allowing her to proactively care for her patients and potentially even save a life.
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A CIC patient at Hills Family General Practice was given a HeartBug electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor which picked up that they have intermittent rapid atrial fibrillation. Partners at the practice agreed that AF wouldn’t have been picked up using the usual Holter monitor and were amazed at the quick prognosis.
‘This is a truly fantastic outcome’, said Dr Walid Jammal, Principal GP of Hills Family Practice, ‘this patient would have ended up in hospital if this had not been picked up’.
Pumped for Heart Health Week
Wentworthville Medical and Dental Centre has been busy screening patients for Heart Week. Diane Lowe, Practice Manager, along with the nursing team have ordered heart week communication materials and have set up a heart health check station in their waiting room to opportunistically screen and educate them about cardiovascular risk.
This information is correct at the time of publishing on 5 May 2022.