Anticoagulation Safety

Overview

4.6 out of 5 (157 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

9

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

6 Oct 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Millions of patients rely on oral anticoagulants to decrease the risk of ischemic stroke and other thromboembolic events, underscoring the importance of understanding their safety profiles. However, these medications rank among the leading causes of emergency department visits and hospital admissions among older adults, prompting classification as high-alert medications by the Institute of Safe Medication Practices and a focus on harm reduction in The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals. Still, the benefits outweigh the overall risks for most patients. The initial weeks of oral anticoagulant use pose the highest risk of adverse effects, particularly during transitions from hospital to home care, necessitating careful management as patients recuperate.

Direct oral anticoagulants, including dabigatran and apixaban, present promising alternatives to warfarin due to their lower bleeding risk, fixed dosages, and lack of routine laboratory monitoring. Warfarin carries a higher bleeding risk but remains superior for specific conditions, such as prosthetic heart valves and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Despite their efficacy in preventing and treating thromboembolism, all anticoagulants elevate the risk of bleeding. Clinicians must carefully assess each agent's risks and benefits, tailoring medication choices accordingly.

Adverse effects often stem from concurrent use of antiplatelet medications, dosing errors, or inadequate monitoring, underscoring the importance of healthcare professionals' knowledge about potential complications like intracranial and gastrointestinal bleeding, hematoma formation, and available reversal agents. Accurate assessment of bleeding risks and prescribing appropriate doses is essential for maximizing clinical benefit.

This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance learners' competence in evaluating and managing anticoagulation complications. Participants gain a broader grasp of oral anticoagulant safety, risk mitigation, adverse effects, and evidence-based diagnostic methods and interventions addressing the unintended consequences of these medications. Greater proficiency equips clinicians to collaborate effectively within an interprofessional team caring for patients receiving anticoagulation.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and dentists.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the appropriate candidates for oral anticoagulant therapy based on established indications and contraindications.

  • Differentiate between the safety profiles of different oral anticoagulants, including warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants, considering factors such as bleeding risk and efficacy.

  • Apply evidence-based guidelines and protocols for managing bleeding complications related to oral anticoagulant therapy.

  • Collaborate with other healthcare team members, including pharmacists and specialists, to optimize oral anticoagulant therapy and patient outcomes.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

StatPearls, LLC is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the Commission of Continuing Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

Dentists: StatPearls, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 1.50 ADA credit(s). Dentists should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Kelly V. on 3/16/2021

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DHANARAJA PADUBIDRI D. on 4/5/2023

JAMI W. on 5/24/2023

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Fabian L. on 12/6/2024

Excellent comprehensive review of anticoagulation! Thank you.

Louis M. on 12/9/2024

Chie M. on 12/11/2024

Charles J. on 12/12/2024

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