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Clinical Outcomes of a Collaborative, Home-Based Postdischarge Warfarin Management Service
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 05:33 authored by Leanne ChalmersLeanne Chalmers, Gregory PetersonGregory Peterson, Luke BereznickiLuke Bereznicki, Shane JacksonShane Jackson, Ella van TienenElla van Tienen, Angley, MT, Bajorek, BV, McLachlan, AJ, Mullan, JR, Misan, GMH, Gaetani, LBACKGROUND: Warfarin remains a high-risk drug for adverse events, especially following discharge from the hospital. New approaches are needed to minimize the potential for adverse outcomes during this period. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a collaborative, home-based postdischarge warfarin management service adapted from the Australian Home Medicines Review (HMR) program. METHODS: In a prospective, nonrandomized controlled cohort study, patients discharged from the hospital and newly initiated on or continuing warfarin therapy received either usual care (UC) or a postdischarge service (PDS) of 2 or 3 home visits by a trained, HMR-accredited pharmacist in their first 8 to 10 days postdischarge. The PDS involved point-of-care international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring, warfarin education, and an HMR, in collaboration with the patient’s general practitioner and community pharmacist. The primary outcome measure was the combined incidence of major and minor hemorrhagic events in the 90 days postdischarge. Secondary outcome measures included the incidences of thrombotic events, combined hemorrhagic and thombotic events, unplanned and warfarin-related hospital readmissions, death, INR control, and persistence with therapy at 8 and 90 days postdischarge. RESULTS: The PDS (n = 129) was associated with statistically significantly decreased rates of combined major and minor hemorrhagic events to day 90 (5.3% vs 14.7%; p = 0.03) and day 8 (0.9% vs 7.2%; p = 0.01) compared with UC (n = 139). The rate of combined hemorrhagic and thrombotic events to day 90 also decreased (6.4% vs 19.0%; p = 0.008) and persistence with warfarin therapy improved (95.4% vs 83.6%; p = 0.004). No significant differences in readmission and death rates or INR control were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the ability of appropriately trained accredited pharmacists working within the Australian HMR framework to reduce adverse events and improve persistence in patients taking warfarin following hospital discharge. Widespread implementation of such a service has the potential to enhance medication safety along the continuum of care.
Funding
Department of Health and Aged Care
History
Publication title
The Annals of PharmacotherapyVolume
45Pagination
325-334ISSN
1060-0280Department/School
School of Pharmacy and PharmacologyPublisher
Harvey Whitney Books CoPlace of publication
Po Box 42696, Cincinnati, USA, Oh, 45242Rights statement
Copyright © 2011 by Harvey Whitney Books Company.Repository Status
- Restricted