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Warfarin use in the elderly: the nurses' perspective
Beata V Bajorek1, Ines Krass, Susan J Ogle
1University of Sydney, Research Associate, Clinical Pharmacology and Aged Care and Rehabilitation, Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. beatab@pharm.usyd.edu.au
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.
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