Recent BMJ Paper Backs Warfarin Self-monitoring and Self-Management

A recent editorial in the British Medical Journal by Carl Heneghan and colleagues has endorsed the benefits of patient self-monitoring and self-management for patients using warfarin as an anticoagulant

See the BMJ editorial here

“Several guidelines currently recommend self-monitoring as one strategy to improve the management of OAT. However, uptake is variable. For example, self-monitoring has become an established practice in some countries, such as Germany. In contrast, several barriers to increased uptake of self-monitoring have been identified in the UK, despite being advocated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. In some instances,point-of-care devices have proved to be inaccurate, and therefore, it is essential that patients are regularly reviewed with external quality assurance undertaken. Furthermore, for widespread uptake, there is a need to further evaluate the training packages on offer, as many patients seemingly start testing with minimal input from health services.”

 

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About the Author
Lauren O'Mahoney
Lauren provides secretarial and administrative support and works with Tony and Prof. David to maintain the company’s ISO quality accreditations and ensure that our policies and procedures are implemented, maintained and adhered to.
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