By the Anticoagulation Forum
Anticoagulation Forum: Transforming Anticoagulation Care through Knowledge and Stewardship
Ensuring optimal patient care in anticoagulation and thrombosis management requires up-to-date education, strong clinical guidance, and a commitment to best practices. The Anticoagulation Forum (AC Forum) stands at the forefront of this mission, offering a comprehensive set of resources and fostering stewardship programs to empower healthcare professionals worldwide.
Reaching over 15,000 clinicians in more than 100 countries, AC Forum serves as a trusted source for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health professionals who support more than 1 million patients annually, helping them navigate the complexities of anticoagulation care with confidence and accuracy.
Advancing Clinical Education
Education remains a cornerstone of AC Forum’s impact. Since its inception, the forum has been dedicated to equipping healthcare professionals with the latest evidence based guidance. Today, the robust set of clinical resources includes:
- Learning Modules – Interactive, evidence-based courses to deepen your expertise
- Archived Webinars – Stay informed with the latest discussions and advancements
- Rapid Resources – Quick, actionable clinical guides designed to fight “time famine”
- Rapid Recaps – Bite-sized summaries of the top anticoagulation articles from the past 30 days
- Literature Library – A curated, searchable database of the latest research, updated twice a month
- Clinical FAQs – Evidence-based answers to common questions to support high quality patient care
Additionally, AC Forum continues to offer high-quality education through webinars, Boot Camps, and the National Conference, ensuring clinicians have access to essential thrombosis care knowledge.
Championing Anticoagulation Stewardship
Anticoagulants are proven life-saving therapies for individuals with cardiac and vascular disorders. However, despite their benefits, they also carry known risks. To optimize patient safety, health outcomes, and care coordination, improving the systematic management of anticoagulants across care settings is essential.
Anticoagulation Stewardship is a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to anticoagulation management that spans the continuum of care. It includes coordinated, efficient, and sustainable patient-, clinician-, and system-level initiatives designed to achieve optimal anticoagulant-related health outcomes and minimize avoidable adverse drug events through the:
- Application of optimal evidence-based care
- Appropriate prescribing, dispensing, and administration of anticoagulants and related agents
- Provision of appropriate patient monitoring and clinical responsiveness
By empowering clinicians and patients, enhancing regulatory compliance, and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, anticoagulation stewardship can significantly impact patient care.
Key 2024 Milestones in Stewardship:
- Inaugural Anticoagulation Stewardship Summit (Washington, DC, July 2024): This pivotal event brought together 25 healthcare leaders, patient advocates, and policymakers to discuss strategies for system-wide improvements in thrombosis care.
- AC Forum’s Manuscript on Securing Leadership Commitment: Published in the Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, this resource provides a structured approach to help clinicians advocate for stewardship programs within their institutions.
- Global Expansion: Our partnerships with ISTH, FIP, ISCP, THANZ, and the International Advisory Council continue to drive stewardship programs worldwide.
Expanding Training Opportunities in Thrombosis and Hemostasis Management
As part of its commitment to advancing safe and effective anticoagulation care, AC Forum proudly supports the growth of PGY2 Pharmacy Residencies in Thrombosis and Hemostasis Management (THM). Recognized by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), THM is the newest category of specialty pharmacy residency training, designed to equip pharmacists with comprehensive expertise in thrombosis management across all areas of the healthcare system.
Established in 2022, THM residencies provide in-depth training across ambulatory and acute care settings, including emergency medicine, cardiology, critical care, and hematology. By fostering specialized clinical skills and promoting Anticoagulation Stewardship, these programs play a vital role in enhancing patient safety and optimizing anticoagulant therapy nationwide.
With increasing demand for specialized expertise in anticoagulation care, the THM residency network continues to expand, with 11 active residency sites across the United States.
Several of these programs are funded through AC Forum’s TRAIN Pharmacy Grant, underscoring the organization’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities and fostering clinical excellence.
Empowering Centers of Excellence
One of the Anticoagulation Forum’s key initiatives is the Anticoagulation Centers of Excellence (ACE) program, which has been dedicated to empowering healthcare professionals since its establishment in 2012. By providing resources, education, and a structured assessment, ACE supports clinicians in delivering the highest standard of care and achieving optimal outcomes for patients on antithrombotic therapy.
Over the past year, the ACE program has continued to expand and evolve: ✔ 14 new sites added
✔ 21 site renewals
✔ 159 active ACE sites
To ensure consistency in thrombosis management and anticoagulant care, ACE volunteers are diligently updating the ACE Assessment. This revised evaluation will help practices align with the latest best practices and maintain the highest level of patient care.
A cornerstone of ACE’s success is the Innovation Circle, a dedicated community of 150 ACE members who collaborate and meet bimonthly to exchange insights, discuss emerging trends, and explore innovative strategies in anticoagulation stewardship. This platform continues to foster knowledge-sharing and drive advancements in the field.
Through ACE, the Anticoagulation Forum remains committed to elevating standards, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
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About the Anticoagulation Forum
The Anticoagulation Forum has led advancements in thrombosis-related care for over three decades. With more than 15,000 members across 3,000 healthcare institutions, the AC Forum is dedicated to enhancing the safety and quality of care for over 1 million patients annually. Through education, thought leadership, and partnerships with industry leaders, the AC Forum shapes the future of anticoagulation management to ensure the best outcomes for patients.