National Heart Failure Audit (NHFA)

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National Heart Failure Audit (NHFA) icon

The National Heart Failure Audit (NHFA) collects data on patients  with an unscheduled admission to hospital in England and Wales who are discharged with a primary diagnosis of heart failure.

What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome where the heart does not adequately pump blood around the body. As the heart is not able to supply enough oxygen to the body, heart failure often leads to shortness of breath and fatigue, and can also lead to fluid retention in the chest cavity, legs and ankles. It is a long term condition, which sufferers can live with for many years, and can be treated by pharmacological treatments – such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors – or by device therapies – for example, pacemakers or defibrillators. Heart failure is caused by a variety of cardiac abnormalities, such as previous heart attacks, cardiomyopathies, hypertension and valve disease. Further inforamtion is available on the British Heart Foundation or NHS websites.

National Heart Failure Audit (NHFA)

The audit aims to drive up the quality of the diagnosis, treatment and management of heart failure. By collecting, analysing and disseminating data, and eventually to improve mortality and morbidity outcomes for heart failure patients. The audit is managed by NICOR, with clinical direction and strategy provided by the British Society of Heart Failure (BSH).  The audit is part of the National Cardiac Audit Programme in NHS England.

The audit captures data on clinical indicators which have a proven link to improved outcomes for heart failure patients, and to encourage the increased use of clinically recommended diagnostic tools, disease modifying treatments and referral pathways. The dataset is updated periodically to ensure that the data collected remains in line with contemporary clinical guidance.

Report documents 2023:

Previous reports for National Heart Failure Audit (NHFA) are available to download via the Previous reports page.

Project Manager: Sarah Ajayi

Project Coordinator: Shenaka Singarayer

nicor.auditenquiries@nhs.net