Ability of clinical pharmacists in a community pharmacy setting to manage anticoagulation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the ability of community pharmacists within an anticoagulation clinic to keep international normalized ratios (INRs) within therapeutic ranges and, secondarily, to determine the incidence of bleeding and thromboembolic events and patient satisfaction.


METHODS
Retrospective observational study.


METHODS
Eckerd PatientCARE Network in Eckerd pharmacies in Tampa Bay area of Florida.


METHODS
50 patients taking warfarin and having INR determinations for 6 consecutive months.


METHODS
Clinical pharmacists monitored patients' anticoagulation status using point-of-care analyzers and making dosage changes as needed under a collaborative agreement. Extensive patient education was provided to patients regarding their anticoagulation. Data were collected from the initial visit through the 6 consecutive months. Patients were surveyed to assess their satisfaction with the clinic.


METHODS
Percentage of INRs within therapeutic range and, secondarily, incidence of bleeding and thromboembolic events and patient satisfaction with the clinic.


RESULTS
During the 6 months of initial therapy with warfarin, 243 of 435 (56%) INRs were in desired therapeutic ranges. A total of 15 bleeding episodes were reported, of which 10 were minor and 5 were significant. No thromboembolic events were reported. There was a 22% response rate to the survey, in which all statements were rated as above average to excellent.


CONCLUSIONS
Community pharmacists in an anticoagulation clinic effectively manage anticoagulation therapy, as the results of this clinic are similar to those of clinics managed by pharmacists in other settings.
Amruso
Nadia A
NA
Eckerd PatientCARE Network, 8333 Bryan Dairy Road, Clinical Services-CE1N, Largo, FL 33777, USA. namru1@eckerd.com
D000368:Aged; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078329:Workforce
D014859:Warfarin