A patient-focused pathway for ambulatory anticoagulation care.
Careful monitoring of ambulatory patients on anticoagulation medication is essential to prevent serious complications such as hemorrhages or blood clots. Nurse-run clinics developed in the 1980s provided some of the assistance necessary for chronic maintenance. These clinics had systems problems, however, that were frustrating for both the nurse and the patient. The article describes how multidisciplinary involvement at one medical center helped develop an anticoagulation pathway that improved service to patients and clarified and strengthened the nurse's role in the pathway.
Brosnan
J
J
Department of Nursing, West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center, CA, USA.
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D019091:Critical Pathways; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007324:Institutional Management Teams; D015141:Los Angeles; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017010:Reminder Systems; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin