Improving atrial fibrillation management in NHS Lothian: A quality improvement update of the local AF pathway

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains one of the most frequently managed cardiac rhythm disorders in hospital practice. In busy acute settings, particularly during on-call shifts, junior doctors often rely heavily on local clinical pathways to guide safe and timely decision-making. However, when guidance lacks clarity or practical flow, variability in care can arise.

At the International Conference on Cardiology and Cardiovascular Science (CVS-2026), Nur Balzureen Suhaimi , FY2 Resident Doctor at NHS Lothian, will present an impactful quality improvement initiative focused on refining the local AF management pathway.

📚 Rationale for Change

Although established protocols were already in place, informal discussions with junior doctors revealed areas of confusion — particularly regarding acute assessment, anticoagulation decisions, and determining when escalation was required. Ensuring that frontline clinicians can rapidly interpret and apply guidance is essential for patient safety.

🔄 Redesigning the AF Pathway

The project involved a detailed review of the existing pathway, benchmarking it against updated national recommendations and current best evidence. The revised framework was restructured to:

• Streamline clinical decision steps
• Clarify indications for rate versus rhythm control
• Provide clearer anticoagulation guidance
• Define thresholds for senior escalation
• Improve visual organisation for quick reference

💡 Impact on Clinical Practice

The updated pathway offers a more intuitive and structured approach to AF management. Early feedback indicates that junior doctors feel more assured in their clinical reasoning, particularly in acute admissions and out-of-hours scenarios. By enhancing accessibility and reducing ambiguity, the initiative promotes consistent, guideline-aligned practice across the organisation.

🌍 Why This Matters

Quality improvement projects like this demonstrate how small but strategic updates to clinical tools can significantly influence patient care. Standardised, easy-to-navigate pathways empower clinicians, reduce variability, and support safer cardiovascular management within healthcare systems.

---

👩‍⚕️ About the Presenter

Nur Balzureen Suhaimi graduated from the University of Aberdeen and is currently practicing in Edinburgh as an FY2 Resident Doctor. Originally from Malaysia, she has a strong academic interest in clinical governance, education, and cardiology. Her work focuses on translating guidelines into practical, user-friendly tools that enhance junior doctor performance and patient safety.

🌐 Conference Overview

The International Conference on Cardiology and Cardiovascular Science (CVS-2026) will be held virtually from March 26–28, 2026. Organised by Mathews International LLC, the event gathers global cardiology experts, clinicians, researchers, and trainees to exchange knowledge and discuss advancements shaping modern cardiovascular medicine.

The programme includes keynote lectures, research presentations, and collaborative discussions across diverse cardiology specialties.

🌐 Register: https://cardiology.miconferences.com/register
🧬 Submit Abstract: https://cardiology.miconferences.com/abstract-submission

Join us online to explore innovations that improve cardiac care and clinical excellence worldwide.

#CVS2026 #Cardiology #CardiovascularScience #HeartHealth #ClinicalCardiology #PreventiveCardiology #MedicalResearch #HealthcareInnovation #GlobalHealth #MedicalConference  #VirtualConference #HeartCare #CardioResearch #CardioPathophysiology #HeartResearch #TranslationalCardiology