Joint Commission issues alert on oral anticoagulants

The Joint Commission issued a Sentinel Event Alert this week on managing the risks of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Stopping bleeding in patients on DOACs is more complicated and requires different strategies than those used for patients on older blood thinners. The reversal mechanisms needed may also differ depending on which DOAC is used, and some DOACs have no FDA-approved reversal agent. A one-page infographic summarizes the key points elaborated on in the alert. (The Joint Commission news release, 7/31/19)