Anticoagulation Patient Self Testing Educator Certificate Program
The incidence of chronic diseases in the United States has dramatically risen with the "Graying of America", and there has been an increase in the number of patients requiring long term and life long oral anticoagulation therapy. Traditionally, patients requiring anticoagulation therapy had to receive care and have blood work drawn at specifically designated anticoagulation clinics, doctors' offices, or hospital laboratories. That meant that many elderly or infirm patients had to travel several times a week, weekly, or monthly to have their blood drawn and the dose of the oral anticoagulant monitored and adjusted. Many of these patients have had to travel long distances for care, which increases the incidence of missed appointment due to illness, financial strain, caregiver fatigue, and weather related barriers to travel. Missed appointments can lead to serious, even fatal, consequences for patients.
Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed and approved reimbursement programs for patient home monitoring of their blood work, the INR (International Normalized Ratio). The result has been a sharp increase in the use of home monitoring devices which require intense education and instruction. The need to have well educated home trainers to instruct patients in the use of home monitoring devices has never been greater.
Description of Program
This interactive Certificate Program is a three week, 12 hour continuing education program for nurses, medical assistants and trainers. The course has been reviewed by local and national experts and the focus is on the pathophysiology of the clotting system, patient assessment data, and principles of adult learning to facilitate successful teaching strategies.
The program consists of three modules. Each module contains an instructor outline, audio/visual presentations, interactive learning components, study guide questions, and a final comprehensive exam. The program is independent study. The learner will log into the program and work thorugh the three modules. When the learner is ready they will complete a comprehensive exam. A certificate will be mailed approximately 30 days following completion of the comprehensive exam, payment of course fees, and a course evaluation.
Who Should Enroll in this Program
This program is designed for English-speaking nurses, medical assistants and trainers who will be involved in teaching patients how to monitor their anticoagulation blood work in the home setting.
Program Curriculum
Program content will include:
- An overview of the pathophysiology of the clotting system
- Overview of medical conditions that require long term anticoagulation therapy
- Patient assessment data that may require immediate medical interventions
- Principles of adult learning
- Outcomes measurement
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this continuing education program is to assist medical assistants and trainers gain knowledge in basic pathophysiology, medical conditions requiring long term anticoagulation therapy, signs and symptoms of serious diseases, and principles of adult learning. At the end of the program, participants will:
- Define the terms platelet adhesion, platelet activation, and platelet aggregation.
- Describe the general process of hemostasis, including the sequence of the three stages that prevent blood loss.
- Define the intrinsic and extrinsic systems and identify major factors in each system
- Identify mechanisms of thrombus formation
- Identify factors that influence abnormal clotting
- List symptoms that could indicate abnormal clot formation
- Identify potential hazardous areas in client environment
- Identify client physical findings that require client call to primary healthcare provider
- Identify client clinical findings that require immediate 911
- Define the elements and process of evaluating the adult learner.
- Identify the importance of utilizing principles of adult learning in the development of a teaching plan for patients receiving anticoagulation therapy.
- Describe the impact of family and social support systems as well as community resources on the patient's ability to learn and manage anticoagulation therapy.
- Develop a teaching plan that includes teaching/learning styles/strategies, resources, and content outline.
- Document all phases of the educational process including needs assessment and implementation of the teaching plan.
Course Schedule
This three-week course is independent study and is available 24 hours a day.
For more schedule information call 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217
Enrollment Cost
$250
Fee includes online instruction and a comprehensive exam.
Refund Policy
A $25 administrative fee will be charged for cancellations prior to beginning the program. NO refund is available after receiving login information.
On the start date of the class there will be no refund.
To Register
Use the Enrollment Form
Call toll free 1-877-USI-HLTH
(1-877-874-4584)
Technology Requirements
If using a personal computer, it is recommended that the computer have Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, or Mac OS X. For compatibility, you will want to have access to Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2007, Office 2003 with the Compatibility Pack, or Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac, Office 2008 for Mac, or Office 2004 for Mac with the latest updates (visit Office for Mac Updates). In some cases, Office Live may be sufficient. For some course content, you may also need Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player and/or Windows Media Player (Flip4Mac WMV Components for QuickTime). Additionally, a broadband Internet connection would be very beneficial; AOL is not recommended. Lastly, if your course uses the Blackboard e-Learning platform, you may wish to verify that you have a compatible web browser.
If your computer is more than 6 years old or does not meet the requirements for running one the above versions of Microsoft Office (Windows system requirements / Mac system requirements), you may want to consider purchasing a new computer.
Program Development
Victoria Pigott MSN, RN
Nance Fiester MS, RN
Colleen R. Walsh, DNP, RN, CS, ONP-C, ACNP-BC
Jackie Schlientz, RN, BSN
M. Jane Swartz, RN, MSN, ARNP
Thank you to Tapestry Medical for their support in providing the content expert.
Why Enroll in an Interactive Internet Program?
The convenience of online instruction allows the participant to "attend" class at any time or day of the week during the four week period. Participants will learn from experts in the area of anticoagulation patient self testing. Online instruction provides an opportunity for personal interaction with course faculty while learning in the comfort of your own home or office.
Successful Completion
The program has three modules. Each module includes reading assignments and study questions. A comprehensive examination will be administered at the end of the four week program. In order to complete the program you will work through each module independently. When you feel prepared there will be a final exam. You must complete the exam and evaluation prior to receiving a certificate and contact hours.
Continuing Education Credits
A Continuing Education Certificate will be awarded following successful completion of study guide questions, an online comprehensive examination, and submission of a course evaluation. Certificates will be mailed approximately 30 days after the completion of the course.
Nurses will receive 10 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana, College of Nursing and Health Professions is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
California nurses will receive 10 hours.
The University of Southern Indiana is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
