Table 2.

Integration of the inpatient anticoagulation system with the healthcare organization

• Integration of pharmacy order entry system with laboratory reporting system to promote review of key laboratory values prior to processing of orders or dispensing of anticoagulants

• Process for quickly communicating and responding to critical anticoagulant laboratory values or adverse events

• Dietary department or another responsible entity should have a method to identify patients with potential for significant drug-food interactions, authority to address these and a method to document recommendations or changes

• Provision of anticoagulation recommendations in a manner that is time sensitive and accessible to all practitioners

• Method of providing clear documentation of recommendations for dose adjustments of anticoagulants

• Anticoagulation education initiatives for both staff and patients aligned with initiatives, resources and workflow of the healthcare system

• Case management consultations to triage insurance coverage of outpatient medications and arrangement of follow up appointments

• Method to ensure continuity of anticoagulation management as care providers change (eg change of shift) and as patients transition to different levels of care within the hospital

• Method of providing clear documentation of the inpatient anticoagulation dosing history, along with any patient education or other pertinent anticoagulation information to outpatient providers in a concise, user-friendly format