Search

Cardiologists at Wrexham Maelor Hospital drew to our attention the fact that amiodarone may not be used appropriately in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Though the All Wales Medicine Strategy Group had developed shared care guidelines in 2007, there was anecdotal evidence that these were not well known, and that patients and their carers were ill informed about the need for monitoring for adverse effects. All 251 patients were reviewed by Wrexham primary care practices, with the assistance of the prescribing support team and in partnership with the consultants. The review of amiodarone prescribing revealed that the drug was no longer indicated in 50 % of patients who were taking it and a subsequent audit of 50 % of patients in primary care practices revealed that monitoring guidelines were not being followed. Consequently, working in partnership with secondary care services, we devised a template for good practice that included a patient information leaflet, a virtual clinic, educational talks and an educational campaign to raise awareness of the existence and content of the shared care guidelines.