CQC have identified that there have been incidents where people who are taking anticoagulants have fallen and hit their heads. The increased risks of their medication has not been considered, and therefore medical assistance has not been sourced.
The Clinical Medical Journey (2019) provides evidence that medical support should be provided to those who are increasingly old, frail, and comorbid. Frail older patients who sustain head injury from a fall and are prone to haemorrhagic complications because of anticoagulants.
NICE has created guidance on what information should be included in a care plan to support the use of anticoagulants. This includes:
- How to use anticoagulants
- How long to take anticoagulant treatment
- Possible side effects of anticoagulant treatment and what to do if these occur
- The effects of other medications, foods and alcohol on oral anticoagulation treatment
- How to monitor their anticoagulant treatment
- How anticoagulants may affect their dental treatment
- What to do if they are planning pregnancy or become pregnant
- How anticoagulants may affect activities such as sports and travel
- When and how to seek medical help
This information should also be included in the individuals falls risk assessment.
To ensure safety of those you support Healthcare Professionals must ensure that CT head scans are performed within 8 hours of a head injury in people who are taking anticoagulants and no other risk factor of brain injury.