Audit of community-based anticoagulant monitoring in patients with thromboembolic disease: is frequent testing necessary?

Intern Med J. 2004 Nov;34(11):639-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2004.00690.x.

Abstract

Oral anticoagulant monitoring is managed by general practitioners in Auckland. An audit of this service in 452 patients demonstrated that anticoagulant control was in line with recommended international guidelines, with 58.3% of international normalized ratio (INR) measurements in the therapeutic range. However, the frequency of testing was high, with the majority of patients (68%), including those on long-term treatment, having INR measurements at weekly intervals. We question the need for such frequent INR testing.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Community Health Services / methods
  • Drug Monitoring / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • International Normalized Ratio
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Program Evaluation
  • Thromboembolism / blood
  • Thromboembolism / drug therapy*
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Warfarin