Safe Use of Anticoagulant Drugs

The management of "high alert" drugs such as heparin and warfarin are significant challenges for all institutions in the region.  JCAHO, IHI, and the National Quality Forum have identified anticoagulant management as a key patient safety goal and initiative.  During 2007 and 2008, HCIF partnered with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices to promote best practices on the safe use of anticoagulant drugs.  The goal was to standardize care and implement best practices to reduce the number of medication errors that could lead to patient harm. The project assisted hospitals by:

• Demonstrating standardization through limiting the number of concentrations of heparin, including therapeutic heparin and heparin flush solutions;
•  Developing or refining existing standard protocols and nomograms for prescribing, dispensing, administrating and monitoring of anticoagulant therapy;
• Implementing practices or procedures to avoid unsafe concomitant administration of

  multiple anticoagulants.