Firefighters in Cheshire use medical device to screen for atrial fibrillation
Firefighters across Eastern Cheshire will soon use a medical device to help screen for atrial fibrillation (AF) within the community.
A new partnership between Health Innovation Manchester, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) and NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) hopes to improve detection rates across the region for atrial fibrillation.
Firefighters will use mobile electro-cardiograph (ECG) screening tools to carry out checks for atrial fibrillation during Safe and Well visits. The MyDiagnosticks devices have been funded by Health Innovation Manchester.
Current Safe and Well visits include advice and assistance for slips, trips and falls, bowel cancer screening awareness, stopping smoking and alcohol reduction, and affordable warmth. Early detection and monitoring of atrial fibrillation can enable better treatment and potentially prevent strokes from occurring.
The funding comes after Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service first trialled the service in Halton before it was expanded to Safe and Well visits in the South Cheshire Vale Royal and West Cheshire CCG areas. Over 1,800 atrial fibrillation screenings were carried out, with 76 people being identified as having an irregular heart rate.
CFRS has been carrying out more Safe and well visits across Cheshire and the new devices enables firefighters to expand the heart checks to the Eastern Cheshire CCG.
Crews will be trained to give information on the causes of atrial fibrillation and taught how to use the MyDiagnostick. Firefighters will carry out an ECG test to assess whether the house owner has an irregular heartbeat. Anyone who tests positive is given an informational leaflet stating they have been assessed by a trained firefighter and will be advised to make an urgent GP appointment.
Hakeel Qureshi, project manager at Health Innovation Manchester, said: “These robust devices will allow firefighters to undertake a quick and easy, mobile ECG test while they visit people at home in Eastern Cheshire and urge those with any irregularities to make an urgent appointment with their doctor to be checked.
“The Safe and Well visits offered by Cheshire FRS are the perfect opportunity to reach more people in the community, identify those with an irregular heart rhythm and ensure they are given advice before the problem becomes much larger or potentially life-threatening.
“We hope the devices will be regularly used to detect atrial fibrillation and become a useful product in preventing strokes and saving lives.
“Health Innovation Manchester is committed to championing new innovations and medical technologies in order to make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of people in Greater Manchester and Cheshire East.”
Nick Evans, head of Prevention at CFRS said: “We are delighted to add screening for atrial fibrillation to our Safe and Well checks in the Eastern Cheshire CCG area. This work builds upon the successful work we are delivering in Halton CCG, West Cheshire CCG, South Cheshire CCG and Vale Royal CCG areas.
“This partnership between health and fire is an excellent example of the public sector joining up and using our resources effectively and efficiently for the people we serve in Cheshire East and the rest of the County.”