Session:
Thursday, 27 March 2014 - 3:00pm to 4:30pmFriday, 28 March 2014 - 9:00am to 10:30amRoom:
125
Facilitator:
Rieutord, André
Presenter:
ACPE UPN: 0475-0000-14-021-L04-P. An application based activity.
Abstract
Hospital pharmacists have always paid particular attention to the anticoagulant drug class, as it is associated with a high risk of drug-related problems and medication errors, in which pharmacists regularly address successfully in the course of their clinical work.
Recently, the oral anticoagulant therapeutic class sometimes referred to as “blood thinners”, which comprised for years only the Vitamin K antagonist, has become more in focus with the release of new oral anticoagulants (e.g. dabigatran, and rivaroxaban) Anticoagulants are used primarily to prevent clot (thrombus) formation and the extension of existing thrombi. Therapy may be continued for only a few weeks or months, or may be life long.
The ability of individuals from different professions to perform as a team will ultimately determine the success or failure of an anticoagulation team.
Pharmacists play an important role in managing anticoagulation therapy, both among hospitalised patients and with outpatients. Trained in the basic pathophysiology of blood clotting and the essentials of clinical clotting disorders, pharmacists bring their expertise in clinical pharmacology and knowledge of drug interactions to the arena of patient management.
The pharmacists can give the attending physicians and house-staff important information about potential drug interactions, in addition to daily dosing recommendations. The pharmacists have taken a central role in identifying and educating patients who are candidates for home treatment of venous thrombosis.
After an interactive warm up session to review the basics of anticoagulation management, practical exercises will be performed to develop participants’ skills in running an anticoagulant consultation with a patient.
Teaching Goals:
- to demonstrate the evidence of patients’ education about their medications and the importance of adhering to their anticoagulant therapy,
- to assess and monitor the treatment of patients receiving anticoagulant therapy,
- to appraise medication compliance to a prescribed drug regimen,
- to evaluate patient satisfaction with their treatment and helping to enhance their quality of life.
Learning Objectives:
After participating in the workshop the participant should be able:
- to list the important patient counselling points for patients on oral anticoagulant,
- to identify three critical factors that strongly influence the INR response to oral anticoagulant treatment,
- to identify four of the most common classes of medications that interact with oral anticoagulant.
