Clinical audit: Management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Activity aim

Review your management of patients with HFrEF (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction) in this clinical audit, and update their treatment to be in line with latest recommendations including the "four pillars" approach.

Why take part in this program?

• Evaluate evidence-based recommendations for HFrEF management, and develop treatment models in line with latest guideline recommendations.
• Earn 6 CPD hours upon completion.

Learning outcomes

• Identify the key role that GPs play in the management of heart failure to prevent hospitalisation.
• Understand the difference between heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
• Implement updated guidelines for early treatment HFrEF, including the four recommended ‘pillars’ of care.
• Develop a shared care model of management for patients with heart failure.
• Apply tools and resources to optimise outcomes in patients with heart failure.

Inclusion criteria

Patients with heart failure with reduced fraction (HFrEF), also known as systolic heart failure, are eligible for this clinical audit.

Patients may be identified using the following criteria:

• Heart failure with LVEF ≤ 40%, as verified by an echocardiogram
• A diagnosis of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction made by a cardiologist or other specialist

If you do not have five patients meeting this criteria, consider referring patients with a general “heart failure” diagnosis for an echocardiogram to verify their LVEF.

How long should it take?

The program has been designed to take approximately 6-8 weeks to complete. This includes patient recall from your practice, patient consult and program evaluation.

Tips to recruit patients

Recruitment may occur:

• Opportunistically as you review appropriate patients as part of usual care.
• By active recall.

This activity is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly Alliance.