Last Updated : February 5, 2016
You know that warfarin has been used for more than 60 years to prevent blood clots. And you know that it works; its effectiveness is well-established. You’re probably also aware that warfarin therapy can be challenging — with diet restrictions, drug interactions, and the need for regular INR monitoring.
So, what’s the best way to manage warfarin therapy: a family doctor’s office, a specialized anticoagulation clinic, or patient self-testing and self-management? If you think you know the answer, you might be in for a surprise.
Based on the best available evidence, it turns out that there isn’t a lot of difference in patient outcomes between different models of care. See the CADTH recommendations for more information.
What matters is having a structured care plan in place.
How often have you “eyeballed” a warfarin dose because you didn’t have a validated nomogram at hand? Have you ever had a patient go for months without an INR test? Has a patient missed vital education because every member of the care team thought someone else would do it? Patients can slip through cracks in the health system, but a structured care plan can help catch them.