Background: Warfarin is a very complex, high risk therapy and one that carries the potential for severe adverse events. The aim of this project was to improve warfarin management through the application of the best available evidence. The project was undertaken in a 250 bed acute care metropolitan private hospital. Interventions: A suite of evidence-based interventions were used including audit and feedback, patient and provider education, and decision support aides. Measures: This project used the ongoing collection of warfarin process and outcome clinical indicator data to measure improvement. Results: Compliance with loading protocol increased by 12% (42-54%); patient education prior to discharge increased by 54% (31-85%); INRs > 5 decreased by 2.6% (3.7-1.1%); and abnormal bleeds fell by 1.2% (1.2-0%). Conclusion: This multifaceted suite of interventions was successful in influencing clinician behaviour and improving compliance with evidence-based warfarin guidelines.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Venous Thromboembolism; Implementation research
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Health services and systems
Research Field:	Health services and systems not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Duff, J (Dr Jed Duff)
UTAS Author:	Walker, KN (Professor Kim Walker)
ID Code:	86976
Year Published:	2010
Web of Science® Times Cited:	3
Deposited By:	Health Sciences B
Deposited On:	2013-11-04
Last Modified:	2014-06-05
Downloads:	0