WARFARIN USE IN THE ELDERLY: THE NURSES’ PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

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.