BetaEntity Annotation Prototype
← Back to funders

Annotated abstract

547 Impact of targeted gp education on referral appropriateness and diagnostic yield in a heart failure clinic

heartjnl · 2026-06-09 · canonical JSON source

7 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

Document resource

Introduction Heart Failure (HF) referrals from primary care rely on accurate symptom assessment and appropriate classification based on natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. Variations in referral urgency can increase clinic workload, prolong waiting times, and reduce diagnostic yield.We conducted a closed-loop audit to assess the appropriateness and diagnostic yield of GP referrals to the One Stop Heart Failure Clinic and evaluate the impact of targeted GP education sessions delivered collaboratively with clinic consultants.Methods A retrospective comparison of GP referrals was performed before and after the targeted GP education intervention. Referrals were assessed for alignment with NICE NT-proBNP thresholds (routine ≥400 ng/L; urgent ≥2000 ng/L), compliance with recommended waiting-time targets (<6 weeks for routine and <2 weeks for urgent referrals), and diagnostic yield, defined as consultant-confirmed heart failure.Results Pre-intervention (October 2024 – May 2025): We received 93 referrals, 28 of which (30%) resulted in a consultant-confirmed diagnosis of heart failure. Alignment of urgent referrals to NICE NT-proBNP thresholds was observed in 20% (15 of 75) of urgent referrals. Urgently referred patients waited 11.7 weeks on averagePost-intervention (June 2025 – Oct 2025): We received 19 referrals, with diagnostic yield increasing to 42% (8 of 19). Urgency classification alignment also improved from the previous 20% to now 50% (8 of 16) of urgent referrals being correctly classed. Urgently referred patients now wait 6.9 weeks on average, a substantial decrease of 4.8 weeks.Conclusions Prior to intervention, we found that variations in classification were associated with prolonged urgent waiting times.The targeted GP education showed a rapid improvement in the diagnostic yields of HF referrals and appropriate urgency classification; the post-intervention data set was 19 patients due to the seasonal variations and holiday periods. The analysis will be rerun once we get the newest data sets.While inappropriate referrals persist post-intervention, the decrease was substantial enough to reduce our urgent class appointment waiting time by 4.8 weeks, demonstrating the effect of collaborative primary care-secondary care education in optimising HF referral pathways. Further audit cycles will be conducted with larger data sets to assess sustainability and the possible introduction of an independent internal triage.Abstract 547 Figure 1Abstract 547 Figure 2