title: Warfarin use post hospitalization: pilot comparative effectiveness of telephone follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study's aims were to evaluate patient knowledge of safe warfarin practices early in treatment, and to pilot a nursing telephone follow-up enhancement to a pharmacy-facilitated discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two randomized patients in either "enhanced follow-up" or "treatment as usual" groups completed the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Enhanced treatment resulted in significant improvement in warfarin knowledge (86% versus 71%). In critical safety related knowledge questions even larger improvements were present (∼96% compared to ∼77%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hypothesis that non-adherence generating rehospitalization is a function of poorer knowledge was not supported as there were no warfarin-related readmissions during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study supports the use of enhanced follow up and the need for larger studies to delineate what patient knowledge prevents rehospitalization and cost effective educational efforts.
authors.affiliation: University of Delaware, School of Nursing, Newark, DE 19716, USA. cpolek@udel.edu
authors.forename: Carolee
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Polek
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hardie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin