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Patient INR self-monitoring (PSM) for monitoring warfarin therapy is increasing in Australia. Accurate, easy-to-use point-of-care (POC) INR monitors are readily available in the community but no formal training program is available to support their use. A pharmacist-led program was developed and piloted to ensure patients interested in PSM receive comprehensive, targeted warfarin education and training in using the monitors. A quality assurance procedure was an integral component with patients having to demonstrate their ability to obtain accurate POC INR results by comparison with an accredited laboratory result. They had to complete two comparison tests before being permitted to self-monitor, and then perform ongoing periodic comparisons. Between September 2008 and July 2009, 28 patients in Tasmania and New South Wales completed this training and went on to self-monitor for a minimum of six months, completing a total of 108 comparison tests. POC INR results correlated significantly with laboratory results ( r = 0.86, p |
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