Despite self-reported comfort with DOACs, healthcare providers have significant knowledge gaps regarding their proper administration and dosing, highlighting a need for further education.
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Knowledge gaps in DOAC administration persist despite provider comfort; leaves open whether targeted education improves safe prescribing.
Background: Direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use is increasing in Canada. This study evaluated nurse, staff physician, and resident physician understanding of DOAC dosing and administration. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to health care providers (HCPs) at a hospital in Ontario, Canada. The questions discussed oral anticoagulant indications, dose adjustments, storage and administration, and counselling. Results: A total of 52 responses were received: 3 from nurses, 1 from a nurse practitioner, 21 from staff physicians (Hematology, Thrombosis Medicine, General Internal Medicine, Neurology), 25 from resident physicians, and 2 unspecified respondents. Twenty-four respondents (46%) felt comfortable or very comfortable prescribing DOACs. Only 15 (29%) knew that dabigatran should not be exposed to moisture and 13 (25%) knew that higher doses of rivaroxaban should be taken with food. Conclusion: HCP understanding of DOACs is variable. Though they express comfort with DOACs, their self-reported knowledge of dosing, administration, and patient counselling is incomplete.
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Piran et al. (2017) studied this question.
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