Quality assessment and improvement in a university-based anticoagulation management service.

The quality improvement process in a university-based anticoagulation management service is described. A clinic overview describes the reporting structure, patient population, clinic operations, and patient care processes. Quality improvement is an inherent component to any patient care process. The Anticoagulation Clinic is addressing improvements by implementing point-of-care testing, adjusting the full-time equivalent mix, developing a credentialing process for anticoagulation practitioners, and creating a new consult form. By obtaining a new computer tracking program, improved clinical outcome tracking (i.e., thromboembolic and hemorrhagic rates) will occur. Enhancing the format of patient education and additional patient and physician satisfaction surveys are components of educational and psychological outcome improvements.