Skip Navigation
The Collection >
Preventing errors relating to commonly used anticoagulants.
Sentinel Event Alert. September 24, 2008;(41):1-4.
Anticoagulant therapies such as heparin and warfarin are considered high-alert medications, due to the high potential for patient harm if used improperly. They have been associated with adverse events in a variety of settings, including in hospitalized patients and outpatients, and ensuring the safety of patients receiving anticoagulants is a National Patient Safety Goal for 2008. This sentinel event alert issued by the Joint Commission discusses the root causes of anticoagulant-associated patient harm and recommends strategies for reducing errors, including implementation of a pharmacist-led anticoagulation service. Sentinel event alerts are intended to promote rapid implementation of patient safety strategies, and adherence to these recommendations is assessed on site visits by the Joint Commission.
PubMed citation icon indicating hyperlink to external website
Free full text icon indicating hyperlink to external website
white box
Related Resources
NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Anticoagulant safety practices call for pharmacist supervision.
Scott A. Drug Topics (Health-System Edition). November 10, 2008.
STUDY
Intravenous infusion safety technology: return on investment.
Danello SH, Maddox RR, Schaack GJ. Hosp Pharm. 2009;44:680-687, 696.
COMMENTARY
Improving heparin safety: a multidisciplinary invited conference.
Peterson C, Ham CW, Vanderveen T. Hosp Pharm. 2008;43:491-497.
NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Cause for concern: drug shortages disrupt operations, tax hospitalists' treatment patterns.
Collins TR. The Hospitalist. July 2011.
View all related resources...
white box
Download: Adobe Reader   email icon Email
tan box
white box