International normalized ratio self-testing and self-management: improving patient outcomes

International normalized ratio self-testing and self-management: improving patient outcomes

Long term oral anti-coagulation with vitamin K antagonists is a risk factor of hemorrhagic or thromebomlic complications. Periodic laboratory testing of international normalized ratio (INR) and a subsequent dose adjustment are therefore mandatory. The use of home testing devices to measure INR has been suggested as a potential way to improve the comfort and compliance of the patients and their ...

Cardiology patient page. Warfarin management: international normalized ratio self-testing and warfarin self-dosing.

Until recently, most patients taking warfarin (brand name Coumadin) had to visit a laboratory and/or clinic every few weeks for an international normalized ratio (INR) blood test and adjustment of their warfarin dose. It is now possible for a patient to measure his/her INR (self-testing) with a finger-stick drop of blood with use of a small, portable, battery-powered device. Some self-testing p...

Self-testing of International Normalized Ratio.

Clinical Policy Title: Patient self-testing of prothrombin international normalized ratio (INR) measurement

ABOUT THIS POLICY: Keystone VIP Choice has developed clinical policies to assist with making coverage determinations. Keystone VIP Choice’s clinical policies are based on guidelines from established industry sources, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), state regulatory agencies, the American Medical Association (AMA), medical specialty professional societies, and peer-re...

Patient self-testing and self-management of oral anticoagulation.

The development of portable instruments for measuring the prothrombin time (PT) in capillary whole blood has made it possible for patients on lifelong coumarin therapy to monitor the effect of the anticoagulant themselves (patient self-testing) and to adjust the dosage if necessary on their own (patient self-management). Dosage variations between individual patients and the narrow therapeutic r...