Heart care app team up for national award
A team of heart care professionals based at an Essex hospital are up for a national award for using an innovative mobile app to monitor patients’ health.
The Arrhythmia team at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC), part of the Trust, have won the regional NHS Parliamentary Award in the Future NHS category, meaning they are through to the national final.
The team have been recognised for their use of a mobile app known as FibriCheck, which allows patients being monitored for an irregular heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation, to check their heart rate and rhythm using their smartphone. Heart measurements are evaluated in the app by an AI algorithm to detect any issues.
This saves them a trip to hospital, and if the app shows that patients do need additional care, they can then be reviewed by a specialist nurse in a timely manner.
Sharon Toora, Lead Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist at the Trust, said: “The app has revolutionised our approach to caring for patients who may have atrial fibrillation. To date, more than 450 patients have benefitted, and by monitoring these people remotely we can avoid unnecessary tests and hospital visits, provide easy access to specialist advice, and empower our patients to be involved in the management of their care.”
The team were nominated by John Baron, the former MP for Basildon and Billericay.
Richard Holden, MP for Basildon and Billericay, said: “I want to congratulate the Arrhythmia team at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre for winning this important award and wish them all the best as they go through to the national final.
“This revolutionary technology has already helped patients across Essex, and I hope that this well-deserved recognition will lead to the NHS exploring its wider use across the country.”
Diane Sarkar, Chief Nursing and Quality Officer at the Trust, said: “Congratulations to the Arrhythmia team at the Essex CTC for their regional award win. Our Trust is working to make the best use of digital and innovative technologies to help our patients have easier and quicker access to the care that they need. It is exciting that the team are also looking to expand and monitor more patients across mid and south Essex. I wish them the best of luck for the national final.”
The success of the team going forward to the national final of the awards is a particular achievement this year as 318 MPs across England put forward 918 nominations – which was a far greater number than in any previous year.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.