Warfarin & CoaguChek

INR testing and warfarin management

Do you take warfarin?

  • Would you like Pharmacy 547 to help you manage your warfarin treatment?
  • Would you like to have your INR measured with a finger prick of blood instead of a laboratory test?
  • Would you like you INR results within 5 minutes of having you blood test?
  • Would you like to know your warfarin dose instantly instead of waiting all day for a phone call?
  • Would you like a printed calendar illustrating your warfarin dose to take home? 

The CoaguChek meter requires less blood and is therefore less painful than a venous blood sample. The results are as accurate as a lab based venous sample but are available much faster.

INRonline is a dosing software package designed by Palmerston North Haematologist Paul Harper. It uses a special calculator to work out what dose of warfarin is required to maintain a good INR range. The programme can be accessed by the pharmacy, GPs and patients.

Every patient will also receive a comprehensive warfarin counseling session with one of the qualified pharmacists to ensure they have a good understanding of warfarin. You will get a handout covering all the important information to remember about warfarin to take home.

 

Regular blood tests

Everyone on warfarin needs to have regular blood tests. The blood test, known as an INR (international normalized ratio), measures the speed of blood clotting. The INR result should be somewhere between 2 and 4 depending on why you are taking warfarin.

The INR result will help us decide what dose of warfarin you should continue taking. It will also help us decide how often you need to have the blood test done. 

  • On the day you are due to have your next blood test, you would visit the pharmacy and have a finger prick blood test at anytime between 8am and 5pm.
  • Using the CoaguChek meter a trained pharmacist or nurse will measure your INR level.
  • The INR result will be entered into the INRonline software.
  • If a dose adjustment is required you will be told immediately and a new dosing calendar printed.
  • A fax will also be sent to your GP informing them of the dose change.

The entire process is expected to take about 10 minutes.

If you are interested in participating in the trial we will need consent from your GP and from yourself.

Redesigned by Ngapaeamua