Anticoagulation Training Programs

Updated March, 2010

Below you will find information on a number of anticoagulation training programs provided in variety of settings. If you know of an anticoagulation training program that you would like to see added to this list, please let us know by sending an email to webmaster@clotcare.org. If you are looking for continuing education opportunities, click here.

1. Anticoagulation Therapy Management Certificate Program (University of Southern Indiana - Internet Course)
   
   
2. Anticoagulation Billing Certificate Program (University of Southern Indiana - Internet Course)
   
   
3. Anticoagulation Certificate Program from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy
   
   
4. PHARMALearn - Anticoagulation (University of Alberta)

Anticoagulation Therapy Management Certificate Program (University of Southern Indiana)

When: 6 week course - See USI website for dates

Where: Internet

Attendees: This program is designed for English-speaking nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and other health care practitioners who have, or want to prepare for, responsibility for monitoring and managing outpatient anticoagulation therapy.

Offered by: University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing and Health Professions

Cost: $500
Fee includes Internet instruction, handouts, and a comprehensive exam. The textbook is not included in the cost of the program. There is an additional $50.00 charge for pharmacists requesting contact hours.

Description and Additional Information:
This interactive Internet Certificate Program is a six week, 40 hour continuing education program for nurses, pharmacists and physicians. Effective patient anticoagulation therapy requires systematic, coordinated patient care management by prepared anticoagulation therapy providers. This program focuses on the physiology and pathophysiology of thromboembolic disorders, patient assessment and management, pharmacology of antithrombotic agents, patient education and program administrative procedures. The content was designed utilizing the competencies for anticoagulation therapy providers developed by the Certified Anticoagulation Provider Working Group and has been reviewed by local and national experts.

Program Curriculum:
Instruction will include the following content:

• Physiology and pathophysiology of thromboembolic disorders
• Patient assessment and management
• Pharmacology of antithrombotic agents
• Patient education
• Program administrative and reimbursement procedures

Instruction Methods:
A combination of delivery methods are used to facilitate learner and faculty communication including:

Internet
Provides on-line instructor-prepared materials and course assignments. Internet resources are used as an integral part of the instruction.

Computer Conferencing
Allows learners to interact with faculty and other course participants.

Electronic Mail
Allows learners to freely interact on an individual or group level with other learners and faculty.

Videotapes

Telephone Consultation
Faculty will be available by telephone to assist learners.

Equipment Required
Participants will need a computer with Internet access. They will also need an e-mail account. For optimum performance it is recommended that at a minimum the computer be a 486 50 Mhz or higher with 16 MB of RAM, 200 MB hard disk space, Super VGA monitor and card with a minimum of 2 MB of RAM; and a modem speed of 28,800 or higher.

Text
The textbook for the course is Managing Oral Anticoagulation Therapy: Clinical and Operational Guidelines 2nd ed. by Jack E. Ansell, Lynn B. Oertel, and Ann K. Wittkowsky. I suggest you order your textbook as soon as possible, in order to receive it by the start of the course. The textbook currently takes 4-6 weeks for delivery. Your registration confirmation email will give details on how to order the book.

Contact: 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or e-mail anticoag@usi.edu

Website: health.usi.edu/certificate/anticoagulationtherapy.asp

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Anticoagulation Billing Certificate Program (University of Southern Indiana)

When: 3 week course - See USI website for dates

Where: Internet

Attendees: This program is designed for English-speaking nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and other health care providers interested in the concepts and practices of reimbursement.

Offered by: University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing and Health Professions

Cost: $350; Fee includes all materials required to completed the program; including Internet instruction, handouts, and a comprehensive exam.

Description and Additional Information:
The Anticoagulation Billing Certificate Program is an interactive continuing education program for health professionals. Content is delivered through the Internet, online conferencing, E-mail, and textbook readings. Participants can complete this program in the convenience of their home or office. This course is designed to be completed in three weeks and provides continuing education credits. The program has three modules. Each module includes reading assignments, study questions, case studies, and text questions. Learners interact with practitioners and faculty who are experts in the area of reimbursement. A certificate of completion will be mailed following the completion of course assignments and a comprehensive examination.

Program Curriculum:
Instruction will include the following content:

• Understanding the Basics
• Specimen Collection
• CLIA Waivers and Certification
• Home PT/INR monitoring/Physician directed services
• Coding and Modifiers
• Medicare Claims Processing
• Handling Denials of Claims

Instruction Methods:
A combination of delivery methods are used to facilitate learner and faculty communication including:

Internet
Provides on-line instructor-prepared materials and course assignments. Internet resources are used as an integral part of the instruction.

Computer Conferencing
Allows learners to interact with faculty and other course participants.

Electronic Mail
Allows learners to freely interact on an individual or group level with other learners and faculty.

Telephone Consultation
Faculty will be available by telephone to assist learners.

Equipment Required
Participants will need a computer with Internet access. They will also need an e-mail account. For optimum performance it is recommended that at a minimum the computer be a 486 50 Mhz or higher with 16 MB of RAM, 200 MB hard disk space, Super VGA monitor and card with a minimum of 2 MB of RAM; and a modem speed of 28,800 or higher.

Text
2004 Medicare Reimbursement Handbook for Health Care Professionals by Roche Diagnostics

Contact: 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or e-mail reimbursement@usi.edu.

Website: health.usi.edu/certificate/roche_reimb/index.asp

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Anticoagulation Certificate Program from Univ. of Florida

When: Ongoing

Where: Online Internet course with facilitator

Attendees: This program is intended for pharmacists wishing to increase knowledge and skills to assist in caring for patients requiring anticoagulation therapy.

Offered by: The University of Florida College of Pharmacy

Credit: The College of Pharmacy will award 3 continuing pharmacy education credits (3 CEU's) upon completion of all modules and a Certificate from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, indicating that you have completed a rigorous course of study in Anticoagulation Therapy.

Cost: $995

Description and Additional Information: Additional information is provided at www.cop.ufl.edu/programs/ce.

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PHARMALearn - Anticoagulation

When: Ongoing

Where: Print-based module

Offered by: Practice Development, The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Canada

Cost: $160.00
Fee includes a print-copy of the module (119 pages) and a 40-item test. This module is accredited for 6.0 CEUs (hours) by the Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy. It expires July 31, 2011.

Overview:
This module is an introductory course designed to raise anticoagulation therapy awareness with the overall goal of improving patient care. After completing this module, you will have the necessary theoretical grounding, skills, and corresponding practice tools to initiate drug therapy monitoring in your patients. The module is based on practice guidelines, actual experiences, and established processes implemented in a pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinic. You will have access to practice tools and other resources to assist you in practice.

Objectives:
After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Identify patients who would benefit from warfarin therapy.
• Apply a patient assessment algorithm for all patients receiving warfarin therapy.
• Gather and interpret patient-specific and laboratory data required to effectively manage patients.
• Collaborate with patients so that those patients understand how drugs, food, and lifestyle may impact their warfarin therapy.
• Collaborate with other health care professionals to individualize anticoagulation therapy for patients.
• Explain the rationale for anticoagulation in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and atrial fibrillation (AF).
• Design an individualized therapeutic plan for a patient starting on anticoagulation therapy.
• Implement a monitoring plan for patients requiring long-term warfarin therapy.

Description and Additional Information:
www.pharmacy.ualberta.ca/pd/courses/anticoag/pharmalearn/intro_pl.html

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