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QualityTool

Blood Thinner Pills: Your Guide to Using Them Safely


Description

This free booklet and video educate consumers about blood thinner medicines.

The 24-page booklet explains how blood thinners can help prevent dangerous blood clots from forming and what to expect when taking these medicines. It includes the following information:
  • About your blood thinner
  • How to take your blood thinner
  • Check your medicine
  • Using other medicines
  • Possible side effects
  • Stay safe while taking your blood thinner
  • Food and your blood thinner
  • Talk to your other doctors
  • Blood tests
  • Common medical conditions
The video features easy-to-understand explanations of how blood thinners work and why it's important to take them correctly. It also introduces "BEST," an easy way to remember how to fit blood thinner medication into daily life:
  • Be careful
  • Eat right
  • Stick to a routine
  • Test regularly

The booklet and video are also available in Spanish.

Links to the Tool:
This tool is available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/btpills.htm
The PDF version of the guide is available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/btpills.pdf (If you don't have the software to open this PDF, download free Adobe Acrobat Reader® software External Web Site Policy.)
The Spanish version of the guide is available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/btpillssp.htm
The video is available at: http://www.healthcare411.ahrq.gov/videocast.aspx?id=555
The Spanish version of the video is available at: http://www.healthcare411.ahrq.gov/videocast.aspx?id=556

Developer

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Funding Sources

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


QualityTool Topic

Patient/Medication safety


History

  • Release Date: 09/2009
  • Original Summary: 09/2009
Disclaimer: The inclusion of a tool in the Innovations Exchange does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or Westat of the tool or of the submitter or developer of the tool. Read more.
QualityTool Classification

Disease/Clinical Category:
Stage of Care:
Setting of Care:
IOM Domains of Quality:
QualityTool Topic:

Last updated: October 28, 2009.