Background: Patients� knowledge of their atrial fibrillation (AF) and anticoagulation therapy are determinants of the\nefficacy of thromboprophylaxis. Nurses may be well placed to provide counselling and education to patients on all\naspects of anticoagulation, including self-management. It is important that nurses are well informed to provide\noptimal education to patients. Current practice and knowledge of cardiovascular nurses on AF and anticoagulation\nin the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) context is not well reported.\nThis study aimed to; 1) Explore the nurse�s role in clinical decision making in anticoagulation in the setting of AF;\n2) Describe perceived barriers and enablers to anticoagulation in AF; 3) Investigate practice patterns in the\nmanagement of anticoagulation in the ANZ setting; 4) Assess cardiovascular nurses� knowledge of anticoagulation.\nMethods: A paper-based survey on current practices and knowledge of AF and anticoagulation was distributed\nduring the Australian Cardiovascular Nursing College (ACNC) Annual Scientific Meeting, February 2014. This survey\nwas also emailed to Cardiovascular Trials Nurses throughout New South Wales, Australia and nursing members of\nthe Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ).\nResults: There were 41/73 (56 %) respondents to the paper-based survey. A further 14 surveys were completed\nonline via nurse members of the CSANZ, and via an investigator developed NSW cardiovascular trials nurse email\ndistribution list. A total of 55 surveys were completed and included in analyses. Prior education levels on AF, stroke\nrisk, anticoagulation and health behaviour modification were mixed. The CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED risk stratification\ntools were reported to be underused by this group of clinicians. Reported key barriers to anticoagulation included;\nfears of patients falling, fears of poor adherence to medication taking and routine monitoring. Patient self-monitoring\nand self-management were reported as underutilised. ANZ cardiovascular nurses reported their key role to\nbe counselling and advising patients on therapy regimens. Anticoagulant-drug interaction knowledge was\ngenerally poor.\nConclusion: This study identified poor knowledge and practice in the areas of AF and anticoagulation. There is scope\nfor improvement for cardiovascular nurses in ANZ in relation to AF and anticoagulation knowledge and practice.
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