The Nursing Model for Anticoagulation Management’s RNs are not assigned based on diagnosis or physician groups because they did not want each RN to be so specialized that their patients could not be cared for by another RN in case a patient’s primary RN was unavailable.  This is important because the model’s staff is small, especially with regard to size of patients served.

Patients will call RNs for many other health reasons, because they have a strong relationship and know their RN is accessible. The RNs have to draw boundaries because the anticoagulation management role is a narrow focus.  So, the RNs refer the patients back to their physicians, or advise them to come into ER if needed.

The Nursing Model for Anticoagulation Management often communicates with its patients through mailings instead of phone calls, which saves the nurses significant time and provides the patient with active written instructions. The mailings include daily dose instructions and contact information for the patient’s primary RN.