Background
The most common symptoms of Heart Failure are shortness of breath and fatigue and/or peripheral oedema. To verify the diagnosis, an objective evaluation of cardiac function is needed, usually performed by help of echocardiography.
Development of the Swedish Heart Failure Registry (S-HFR)
The S-HFR is created by professor Ulf Dahlström, Linköping and Doctor Magnus Edner, Stockholm. A national gruop of experts was formed in 2001 and together they created a protocol, including a number of variables as aetiology, characteristics, diagnostics, medical treatment and follow-up to be followed in patients with Heart Failure.
Purpose
The purpose of S-HFR is to improve the management of patients with Heart Failure by following more strictly guidelines regarding diagnosis and treatment. The long-term goals are to contribute to reduced mortality and morbidity and increased Quality of Life in patients with Heart Failure. As a result of these efforts we hope to achieve a more cost-effective Heart Failure Care in Sweden.
Patients and methods
All patients with a diagnosis of Heart Failure admitted to hospital or outpatient clinics are included in the registry. The information recorded from each patient consists of a minimum of 63 carefully selected and pre-defined variables to be filled in either by a nurse or by discharging physician. The registry cover background factors such as age, gender, marital status, living conditions, previous diseases, performed procedures as well as other investigations, selected laboratory values, medical treatment and follow-up. Data can also be imported from computer-based documentations.
Immediate access through Internet
By participating in the registry the participating units have
- Immediate data entry over Internet or data transfer from local databases
- Immediate access to information about all previously registered patients
- Immediate access to reports, lists and statistical analyses of selected patient groups in comparison to the average of other participating hospitals or primary health care centres.