Anticoagulant Therapy Toolkit

Although the use of anticoagulant therapy for the reduction of stoke risk in many atrial fibrillation patients is supported by an extensive body of evidence, many patients remain untreated or undertreated.

After examining the challenges with anticoagulants therapy intervention in AFib patients across the nation, the American Heart Association^® has created a toolkit intended to assist providers with best practice information for anticoagulation therapy in AFib patients. The content is based on the latest available evidence-based guidelines and curated from high-performing Get With The Guidelines^®-AFib participating hospitals.

Resources

• Protocol for Evaluation of Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke- Cone Health (PDF)
• Steps to Create Atrial Fibrillation Center of Excellence - Cone Health (PDF)
• Atrial Fibrillation DOAC Protocol - Cone Health (PDF)
• Multidis Approach - Cone Health (PDF)
• Living with Atrial Fibrillation Booklet - Saint Thomas Heart (PDF)
• AFIB Clinic Patient Education - Northwest Community Healthcare (Document)
• Provider Education - Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACS) Peri-Operative Management - Northwest Community Healthcare (Document)
• Provider Education - Warfarin: Peri-operative Management - Northwest Community Healthcare (Document)
• Anticoagulation Clinic Protocol Book - Northwest Community Healthcare (Document)
• Bridging Warfarin with Parenteral Anticoagulants: Peri-Procedural Management of
  Anticoagulation and Subtherapeutic INR Bridging - St. Elizabeth Healthcare (PDF) 

Audiocasts

Episode 5 explores current guideline recommendations for anticoagulant use in Afib patients, factors that contribute to undertreatment, and common drug interactions to be considered in anticoagulated Afib patients who are being treated in other disease care settings.

Episode 4 will take a closer look at the common barriers to anticoagulant therapy in Afib patients. We will examine strategies to support shared-decision making, patient education, and navigating those crucial conversations to overcome patient refusal of guideline directed therapy.

Episode 3 will delve into the complex workflows within a health system and how they be a help or a hindrance to an AFib patient once they are discharge. Our guest will demonstrate effective strategies that allow collaboration both within the hospital as well as with external clinics to ensure that care management does not end at discharge.

Episode 2 provides a roadmap for creating a culture of high-quality Afib care within a health system. We'll discuss the importance of anticoagulant therapy and Afib management education outside of the electrophysiology and cardiology teams, how this education is reflected in other care settings, and how this can be replicated.

Episode 1 provides insight into the process of successfully implementing an EHR solution within a health system with the goal of improving medication education for anticoagulant therapy in Afib patients. We will team pharmacy's role, workflows, dosing, monitoring, and education tracking.

Webinars

Developing digital tools for data-driven symptom management in cardiovascular disease (Video)
View Slides (PDF)