Ambulance Victoria is piloting a new model of care called the STAY program (Safe Treatment of Atrial fibrillation in the communitY) that allows certain patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) to be treated at home rather than being taken to hospital.
Program Details
- Paramedics assess patients at home for AF and, if low-risk, connect directly with a specialist cardiology team available 24/7.
- Together, paramedics and cardiologists determine the safest care pathway, which may include:
- Support at home
- Referral to a rapid access cardiology clinic within days
- Daily follow-up from specialist nursing teams
- This approach avoids emergency department visits and associated waiting times.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced time spent in emergency departments
- Faster access to specialist care
- Patients recover at home
- More tailored, patient-centered care from paramedics
Context
The STAY program is part of broader efforts to rethink emergency care delivery. If successful, it could be expanded to more patients and conditions.