The Journal of Hospital Medicine published the study.
Researchers from Qualidigm, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, CMS and other institutions conducted the study. Researchers studied the medical record data of Medicare patients 65 and older from the Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System.
Here are four takeaways:
1. AHRQ funded the study.
2. The study found the INR was not always monitored each day and the lack of daily monitoring was associated with over-anticoagulation and bleeding adverse events.
3. Researchers concluded the lack in daily INR monitoring may partially be due to the lack of evidence or guidance on how frequently the INR should be monitored in patients receiving warfarin.
4. “Improving patient safety in the hospitals starts with determining the root causes for adverse events,” said Qualidigm President and CEO, Tim Elwell. “Qualidigm has been working on patient safety since 2001. We are pleased that this study has revealed yet another evidence-based practice that can improve care for hospitalized patients.”
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