Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 May;217(4):181-187.
doi: 10.1016/j.rce.2017.02.014. Epub 2017 Mar 28.

Unnecessary overuse. Study of "inadvisable practices" for patients with atrial fibrillation

[Article in English, Spanish]
Affiliations

Unnecessary overuse. Study of "inadvisable practices" for patients with atrial fibrillation

[Article in English, Spanish]
M M Ortiz et al. Rev Clin Esp (Barc). 2017 May.

Abstract

Objective: To identify overuse (diagnostic, therapeutic and self-care practices that represent risks that outweigh the potential benefits) in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Method: The study was based on qualitative research techniques. Using the "Metaplan" technique, we identified and ordered potentially inappropriate, ineffective and inefficient practices. By means of a consensus conference, we then established a number of "inadvisable practice" measures (relatively common practices that should be eliminated based on the scientific evidence or clinical experience). Professionals from the specialties of cardiology, haematology, neurology, internal medicine, family medicine and nursing participated in the consensus.

Results: We developed a catalogue of 19 "inadvisable practices" related to the diagnosis, treatment and care of anticoagulated patients that were inappropriate, had questionable effectiveness or were ineffective, as well as 13 beliefs or behaviours for anticoagulated patients that could result in injury or were useless or inefficient.

Conclusion: The "inadvisable practices" approach helps identify practices that represent greater risks than benefits for patients. It seems appropriate to include algorithms in the clinical decision-making support systems that consider this information for the diagnosis, treatment and for home care. For this last case, recommendations have also been prepared that define specific contents for the healthcare education of these patients.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Calidad asistencial; Fibrilación auricular; Overuse; Quality care; Sobreutilización innecesaria.

PubMed Disclaimer

LinkOut - more resources