Evaluation of a primary care anticoagulant clinic managed by a pharmacist

Abstract

In September 1994 a weekly pharmacist led clinic was established in Downfield Surgery. International normalised ratios were measured from capillary blood samples using a Ciba-Corning Biotrack 512 coagulometer calibrated to give comparability with local hospital derived values.3 Warfarin was prescribed according to British Society for Haematology recommendations.4 Prescriptions were recorded in the notes and patients' treatment booklets. Since patient knowledge is important for safe and effective anticoagulant treatment patients were counselled at initial visits with reinforcement at subsequent appointments. The notes of patients receiving anticoagulants were also flagged and an information sheet to advise general practitioners of medicines to avoid and those requiring more detailed monitoring was included in the notes. The quality and cost of surgery management were evaluated after six months and one year. Patient knowledge and preferences were assessed by questionnaire.