Reducing Error in Anticoagulant Dosing via Multidisciplinary Team Rounding at Point of Care

Abstract

The incorporation of a clinical pharmacist in daily rounding can help identify and correct errors related to anticoagulation dosing. Inappropriate anticoagulant dosing increases the risk of developing significant bleeding diathesis. Conversely, inappropriate dosing may also fail to produce a therapeutic response. We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of 41 patients to confirm and analyze the errors related to various anticoagulants. A clinical pharmacist in an integrated rounding between the period of February 2016 and April 2016 collected this data. We concluded that integrated rounding improves patient safety by recognizing anticoagulant dosage error used for the purpose of prophylaxis or treatment. It also allows us to make dose adjustments based on renal function of the patient. We think that it is prudent for physicians to pay particular attention to creatinine clearance when dosing anticoagulants in order to achieve the intended dosing effect and reduce the risk of adverse drug events.

Keywords: Anticoagulants; adverse drug effect; clinical pharmacist; multidisciplinary rounding team; reducing medication error.

Figure 1.

Anticoagulation dosing error.

Figure 2.

Intervention by Medication Class.

Figure 3.

Type of Intervention required.