{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/66c5fe5aca03bcdcad21a486/69e3a90eabe143da5b9c30f1?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Episode #48: Why Coding Heart Failure Matters: From Clinic to the NHS","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/66c5fe5aca03bcdcad21a486/1776527566466-a7c14528-d71f-4d10-9493-e952bb60dd9c.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast, I speak with Helen Kilminster - Senior Pharmacist ACP and Deputy PCN Clinical Director -&nbsp; about a part of heart failure care that is often overlooked: coding. We explore a part of heart failure care that is often overlooked: coding. Not as an administrative task - but as something that directly shapes patient outcomes. Because if heart failure isn’t coded accurately, it often isn’t fully visible. Patients are missed, risk isn’t under-recognised, and opportunities for earlier intervention are lost.</p><p><br></p><p>We discuss how coding underpins everything from diagnosis to commissioning - and why small inconsistencies in how heart failure is recorded can have system-wide consequences. Helen shares how practices are identifying missed patients through NT-proBNP testing and case-finding, how coding supports risk stratification alongside comorbidities, and why clearer communication between cardiology and primary care is essential.</p><p><br></p><p>We also explore the challenges of inconsistent terminology, and the importance of correctly coding NICE-defined heart failure subtypes - HFrEF, mildly reduced EF, and HFpEF - to ensure patients receive appropriate care.</p><p><br></p><p>Key issues addressed:</p><ul><li>Why heart failure coding directly affects diagnosis and outcomes</li><li>How GP coding systems work in practice</li><li>The problem of inconsistent terminology across care settings</li><li>Why NICE heart failure subtypes need to be clearly coded</li><li>Using NT-proBNP and case-finding to identify missed patients</li><li>How coding informs funding, commissioning, and service design</li><li>Tools to support better coding</li><li>The role of communication between primary and secondary care</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This episode is produced in collaboration with the <a href=\"https://www.bsh.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">British Society for Heart Failure.</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:</strong></p><p>00:00 Why coding matters</p><p>01:40 How GP coding works</p><p>04:33 Finding missed heart failure</p><p>06:20 Sharing codes across care</p><p>08:27 Contracts and subtypes</p><p>11:49 Defining heart failure types</p><p>13:48 Tools for better coding</p><p>17:35 Funding and commissioning</p><p>23:54 NHS reform and teams</p><p>28:59 Patient impact and equity</p><p>33:23 Practical coding tips</p><p>37:05 Final takeaways</p><p><br></p><p><strong>FURTHER LEARNING:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><a href=\"https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">NICE Guidance</a></li><li><a href=\"https://openprescribing.net/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OpenPrescribing</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.opencodelists.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OpenCodelists</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.bsh.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">British Society for Heart Failure</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, and subscribe to Beatwise The Podcast. Your support helps me reach more listeners and continue providing valuable content.</p><p><br></p><p>Don't forget to follow me on social media @<a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sarah.theheartdoc/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">sarah.theheartdoc</a> for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more engaging discussions. Stay connected and be part of our growing community!</p>","author_name":"Sarah Birkhoelzer"}