Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Background. Increasing indications for warfarin therapy has led to increased pressure on primary care to undertake therapeutic monitoring. Objective. This study evaluates a primary care model of oral anticoagulation monitoring which utilises computerized decision support (CDSS) and near patient testing (NPT) within a practice nurse-led clinic. Whilst this has been shown to be a successful model under trial conditions, this paper reports the first data from a long-standing clinic, outside a formal study. Method. A prospective evaluation of therapeutic and clinical control of all patients taking warfarin within one inner city general practice. Data were collected via CDSS. Results. 29 patients were seen in 208 appointments. The mean percentage of patients within therapeutic range was 72%. The costs to the practice were £1751. The costs the practice would have incurred had these patients been seen at the hospital with the same frequency would have been £2290. Conclusions. The use of CDSS and NPT for nurse-delivered oral anticoagulation monitoring could enable the safe transfer of the majority of patients from secondary to primary care. Funding mechanisms to support the transfer of costs will be essential for most practices, as will be the maintenance of adequate staff training and quality assurance.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/fampra/15.2.144

Type

Journal article

Journal

Family Practice

Publication Date

01/01/1998

Volume

15

Pages

144 - 146