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Supervised patient self-testing of Warfarin therapy using an online system
Citation
Bereznicki, LRE and Jackson, SL and Peterson, GM, Supervised patient self-testing of Warfarin therapy using an online system, Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15, (7) Article e138. ISSN 1439-4456 (2013) [Refereed Article]
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Licenced under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Abstract
Background: Point-of-care international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring devices simplify warfarin management by allowing selected patients to monitor their own therapy in their homes. Patient self-testing (PST) has been shown to improve the clinical outcomes of warfarin therapy compared to usual care.
Objective: To compare management of warfarin therapy using PST combined with online supervision by physicians via a custom system with usual warfarin management, which involved laboratory testing and physician dosing.
Methods: Interested patients were recruited via community pharmacies to participate in a warfarin PST training program. Participants were required to have a long-term indication for warfarin, have been taking warfarin for at least 6 months, and have Internet access in their home. The training involved two sessions covering theoretical aspects of warfarin therapy, use of the CoaguChek XS, and the study website. Following training, patients monitored their INR once weekly for up to 3 months. Patients and physicians utilized a secure website to communicate INR values, dosage recommendations, and clinical incidents. Physicians provided a 6-12 month history of INR results for comparison with study results. The percentage of time spent within the therapeutic INR range (TTR) was the primary outcome, with participants acting as their own historical controls. The percentage of INR tests in range and participant satisfaction were secondary outcomes.
Results: Sixteen patients completed training requirements. The mean age of participants was 69.8 (SD 10.1) years. TTR improved significantly from 66.4% to 78.4% during PST (P=.01), and the number of tests within the target range also improved significantly (from 66.0% at prior to the study to 75.9% during PST; P=.04). Patients and physicians expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the monitoring strategy and online system.
Conclusions: PST supported by an online system for supervision was associated with improved INR control compared to usual care in a small group of elderly patients. Further research is warranted to investigate the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of online systems to support patients monitoring medications and chronic conditions in the home.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | warfarin, self-care, management, international normalized ratio, Internet, communication, elderly |
Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences |
Research Field: | Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Other health |
Objective Field: | Other health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Bereznicki, LRE (Professor Luke Bereznicki) |
UTAS Author: | Jackson, SL (Dr Shane Jackson) |
UTAS Author: | Peterson, GM (Professor Gregory Peterson) |
ID Code: | 85511 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 13 |
Deposited By: | Pharmacy |
Deposited On: | 2013-07-12 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-02 |
Downloads: | 399 View Download Statistics |
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