title: An evaluation of an anticoagulant clinic.
abstract: Patient comprehension of the risks of anticoagulation, tablet recognition skills and knowledge of complications of warfarin therapy were evaluated in 160 patients attending the anticoagulant clinic in a central Dublin teaching hospital group. Potential complications from over- and under- dosage with warfarin were unknown to 119 (74%) and 97 (60%) patients respectively. 1, 3 and 5 mg tablets could not be identified by 40 (25%), 55 (34%) and 60 (37%) patients respectively. The current prescribed dose could not be recollected by 31 (19%) patients. Haemorrhagic complications occurred in 23 (14%) subjects over one year, four of whom required hospital admission and two blood transfusions. No thromboembolic episodes were noted. This study reveals a widespread lack of understanding of anticoagulation and its potential complications in patients receiving warfarin therapy and has led to a critical reappraisal of patient education, patterns of referral and supervision of such individuals in our clinic.
authors.affiliation: Adelaide Hospital, Dublin.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Colwell
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014859:Warfarin