[Warfarin treatment of venous thromboembolism].
BACKGROUND
Warfarin treatment of venous thromboembolism is the most frequent cause of reported serious and fatal adverse events associated with drug therapy in Norway. We assessed quality of treatment during transfer from hospital to community-based care.


METHODS
66 out of 100 consecutive patients with venous thromboembolism were studied by a retrospective survey that included data from hospital records and a questionnaire survey.


RESULTS
Time in therapeutic range was 57% during the first four weeks. Undertreatment was the most frequent deviation. Some patients reported a long time lag from INR measurement to dose prescription in community care; 42% did not receive written treatment information. There were six recurrences, but no serious or fatal bleeding complications during one year of observation. Patient satisfaction with information and treatment organisation was high.


CONCLUSIONS
There is room for improvement of patient information and treatment quality in outpatient care in our area.
Andersen
Ingrid Alm
IA
Det medisinske fakultet Medisinsk teknisk forskningssenter 7489 Trondheim. ingridan@stud.ntnu.no
Hammerstrøm
Jens
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin