NDLI: The use of letter communication for patients enrolled in a pharmacist managed anticoagulation clinic.

Content Provider	World Health Organization (WHO)-Global Index Medicus
Author	Geyer, A. Ford, M. A. Rindone, J. P.
Description	Country affiliation: United States Author Affiliation: Geyer A ( Clinical Pharmacy Section, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ, USA.)
Abstract	WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: It is unknown how letter communication vs. telephone communication compares in terms of affecting outcomes in patients followed in a busy anticoagulation clinic. This study was performed to determine if sending letters to communicate laboratory results and future appointments with patients enrolled in a pharmacy managed anticoagulation clinic is an effective alternative to telephone communication. METHODS: A retrospective review of quality assurance data currently collected at our facility was performed. Data were analyzed 4 months before and 4 months after the implementation of the letter notification. Data on percent international normalized ratio (INR) in therapeutic range, missed laboratory draw frequency and major bleeding events were collected daily, compiled monthly and then compared between the telephone and letter groups. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the percentage of INRs that were within goal range before and after letter initiation. There was a slight increase in the percentage of INR laboratory draws that were missed after the implementation of the letters (23% vs. 26%, P = 0·002). There were more major bleeding events after letter initiation, but this did not reach statistical significance. Approximately 80% of the patients received letters as the method of communication in the letter group. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The use of letters to notify warfarin patients with laboratory results is an effective method of communication without adversely affecting patient outcomes.
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	02694727
Issue Number	5
Volume Number	36
e-ISSN	13652710
Journal	Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
Language	English
Publisher	Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher Date	2011-10-01
Publisher Place	Great Britain (UK)
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Subject Keyword	Discipline Therapeutics Discipline Pharmacology Ambulatory Care Facilities Anticoagulants Therapeutic Use Correspondence As Topic Health Communication Methods Warfarin Adverse Effects Appointments And Schedules Atrial Fibrillation Drug Therapy Clinical Laboratory Techniques Utilization Hemorrhage Chemically Induced Humans International Normalized Ratio Pharmacists Practice Guidelines As Topic Quality Assurance, Health Care Retrospective Studies Telephone Thromboembolism Treatment Outcome Journal Article
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Pharmacology Pharmacology (medical)

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