Our client - a large hospital in the Netherlands - struggled with the implementation of the antithrombotic policy guideline. This is an important guideline, because incorrect use of antithrombotic agents entails major risks for patients. That is why the health care inspection is tightly enforcing the correct application of this guideline.

However, this guideline is a bulky document of around 400 pages, and the subject of anticoagulation is broader than the guideline. For example, the antithrombotic policy for neuraxis blockade is part of another guideline.

The challenge was to create a setup where all this information is easy use in daily practice.

Flowcharts

We then added the specific knowledge from the guideline for each clinical entrance, where we focussed mainly on the action-oriented part. We visualised this information as much as possible through clickable flowcharts.

Additional information can be reached bij clicking on the blocks of the flowchart.

Ownership

Alii helped prepare the division in entry points, the flowcharts and the models, but the doctors at this hospital were of course the ones who ultimately determined what the protocol would look like. They read the entire set of protocols and corrected if needed. It has really become their document. They also signed off on the resulting protocols.

The entire system is a great success. These protocols are now viewed 350-400 times a month. The health care inspection was very pleased with how this hospital ultimately implemented this anticoagulation subject.