OBJECTIVE: To explore the barriers to warfarin use from the perspective of nurses working in aged care. DESIGN: A qualitative study, involving a semi-structured group interview, during March-April 2001. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Eleven nurses, employed within the catchment of the Northern Sydney Area Health Service, who were involved in the care of elderly warfarinised patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Identification, via thematic analysis, of the main themes underpinning the nursing perspective on warfarin use in this setting, with regard to their perceived role/s, experiences with patients, and potential strategies for managing the therapy. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: perceived patient attitude toward warfarin; barriers to the use of warfarin; expressed lack of confidence in the processes involved; nurses' role in warfarin use; and strategies to improve warfarin use. Nurses were concerned about warfarin use in the elderly, but felt they had a limited capacity to intervene. CONCLUSION: Nurses are potentially underutilised as a resource and support for both patients and prescribers, in the management of warfarin therapy.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the barriers to warfarin use from the perspective of nurses working in aged care. DESIGN: A qualitative study, involving a semi-structured group interview, during March-April 2001. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Eleven nurses, employed within the catchment of the Northern Sydney Area Health Service, who were involved in the care of elderly warfarinised patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Identification, via thematic analysis, of the main themes underpinning the nursing perspective on warfarin use in this setting, with regard to their perceived role/s, experiences with patients, and potential strategies for managing the therapy. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: perceived patient attitude toward warfarin; barriers to the use of warfarin; expressed lack of confidence in the processes involved; nurses' role in warfarin use; and strategies to improve warfarin use. Nurses were concerned about warfarin use in the elderly, but felt they had a limited capacity to intervene. CONCLUSION: Nurses are potentially underutilised as a resource and support for both patients and prescribers, in the management of warfarin therapy.
Authors: Carole Decker; Linda Garavalia; Brian Garavalia; Teresa Simon; Matthew Loeb; John A Spertus; William C Daniel Journal: J Multidiscip Healthc Date: 2012-06-13