ANTICOAGULATION SAFETY

Course overview

ONE CLASS OF DRUGS THAT HAS BEEN IMPLICATED IN SERIOUS ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS FOR MANY DECADES IS ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS, ESPECIALLY WARFARIN. THERE ARE COUNTLESS CASE REPORTS INDICATING THE USE OF ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS IS MORE LIKELY TO REQUIRE HOSPITAL ADMISSION, AND PROLONGED HOSPITAL STAYS FROM ADVERSE EVENTS SUCH AS BLEEDING. ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS HIGH ALERT MEDICATIONS ACCORDING TO THE INSTITUTE OF SAFE MEDICATION PRACTICES (ISMP) BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR HARM WHEN USED CLINICALLY. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS ANTICOAGULATION SAFETY AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING PATIENTS WHO NEED ANTICOAGULANTS