Vol. 2, Issue 4, Part L (2016)

Background: Anticoagulants are critical medications for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis, yet they pose significant risks of morbidity and mortality. Pharmacist-managed anticoagulation has been shown to reduce complications and improve therapeutic outcomes, particularly in outpatient settings. Recent trends in healthcare emphasize the need for collaborative approaches, integrating nursing and pharmacy expertise for effective anticoagulation management.

Methods: This review evaluates existing literature on pharmacist-led inpatient anticoagulation services, focusing on studies comparing these services to traditional physician-managed care. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed and Embase, with keywords related to anticoagulation management.

Results: The analysis of 14 studies indicated that pharmacist-managed anticoagulation protocols (PMAPs) generally outperform standard physician care, with improved patient outcomes such as higher rates of therapeutic International Normalized Ratio (INR) and lower incidence of bleeding events. Notably, studies revealed that patients managed by pharmacists had a significantly reduced risk of supra-therapeutic INR levels and shorter hospital stays. Additionally, pharmacist-led initiatives demonstrated enhanced safety in managing anticoagulation therapy.