This program
is directed to attorneys, paralegals and legal nurse
consultants.
The
Heparin overdose of actor Dennis Quaid’s newborn
twins drew attention to the dangers of anticoagulants:
Heparin, Coumadin, Lovenox, and others. These drugs
have a very narrow window of safety. Even in the best
of circumstances, when everyone does everything right,
these drugs can lead to significant toxicity and bleeding,
permanent injury, paralysis, blindness, and death.
Safe use requires understanding how they work (mechanism
of interaction, onset and duration of action), using
antidotes, and recognizing and avoiding drug interactions.
Thorough and careful ordering, compounding, labeling,
distribution, administration, and monitoring by healthcare
workers is necessary for effective use of anticoagulants.
If prescribers do not order enough anticoagulation,
the patient does not receive the full effects and
is at increased risk for blood clots or stroke. Medication
errors by nurses and pharmacists may lead to therapeutic
failure or life threatening bleeding episodes due
to anticoagulant toxicity. Also, healthcare providers
may lack understanding about drug interaction risks,
and the use and interpretation of laboratory tests
monitoring for safety and efficacy of anticoagulants.
Healthcare providers have an obligation to educate
patients about the complexities of the anticoagulation
regimen to avoid under or overutilization of the medications.
Dr. James T. O'Donnell has 20 years
of experience as a clinical pharmacist in acute care
hospitals. He has been responsible for establishing
and maintaining safe medication distribution and control
systems. An experienced expert witness, Dr. O’Donnell
will share lessons from the courtroom involving cases
of injuries associated with misuse of anticoagulants.
After this one hour webinar you will be able
to:
- List the common anticoagulants in clinical use;
describe their mechanism of action, onset and duration
of antidotes, treatment for overdose
- Identify common reference material for clinical
monitoring, the types of laboratory tests measured
when treating patients with anticoagulants
- Describe common medication errors by nurses and
pharmacists leading to anticoagulant toxicity
- Identify common drug interactions enhancing or
diminishing anticoagulant effect, leading to bleeding
injuries or lack of effect (risk of clots)
- Determine which anticoagulants are commonly used
together
As an added bonus, you will receive:
- James O’Donnell, Forensic Pharmacist Report
in a Coumadin Death Case, Journal of
Pharmacy Practice
- James O’Donnell, Pharmacist Practice and
Liability, Journal of Nursing Law
Watch
Dr. O’Donnell testify in a murder case.
(Allow the commercial to finish first.)
CEUs are available for this program (click
for details). |
