NUR 01.2 - Exploration of anticoagulation stewardship programmes in Irish hospitals: a survey study

Background: Anticoagulation stewardship programmes (ASPs) aim to achieve optimal anticoagulant-related health outcomes and minimize avoidable adverse drug events.

Aims: To determine whether ASPs are implemented in Irish hospitals, and to identify barriers to ASP implementations.

Methods: An online survey was created using Microsoft Forms and distributed via relevant professional networks across Ireland. This study was reported according to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES). Participants were invited via email and social media promotion. The survey questions were designed through a collaborative and iterative process among the researchers. Independent researchers piloted the final draft of the survey before being available online. Descriptive analysis was used to determine the level of implementation of ASPs in Irish hospitals, and responses obtained from the survey were evaluated to determine respondents' perceptions of the barriers to ASP implementation.

Results: Overall, there were 34 respondents, with 26.4% physicians, 53% pharmacists and 20.6% nurses. In total, 27/34 (79%) respondents were aware of the concept of ASP with 7/34 (20.6%) respondents reporting that their hospital had an ASP implemented and 9/34 (26.5%) reporting that their hospitals were working on implementation. While 17/34 (50%) of participants reported that they did not have ASP in their hospitals, all (17/17) agreed that their institution would benefit from having the ASP. The three main barriers identified by the respondents were: insufficient healthcare professional (HCP) time allocated to ASP (n=24), insufficient number of HCPs dedicated to ASP (n=22) and insufficient financial resources to develop and implement ASP (n=19).

Conclusion(s): While the establishment of ASPs in Irish hospitals is considered by HCPs to be beneficial to ensure quality and safety when anticoagulants are used, the establishment of ASPs is still limited across the country. National efforts should be coordinated to overcome the existing barriers preventing ASP implementation and allow for safer anticoagulation use.