Emergency management of patients with Supratherapeutic INRs on Warfarin: a multidisciplinary education study

Abstract

Objective: Supratherapeutic INRs exceeding 4.5 are associated with increased risk of haemorrhage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an educational program focused at improving emergency clinician compliance with the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australia and New Zealand (THANZ) guidelines.

Design: A pre and post-intervention study was undertaken. Retrospective data from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 and
prospective data 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 were collected.

Setting: This study was conducted in a large tertiary care hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Subjects: Included were all consecutive patients in the study periods that presented to the emergency department with an initial INR result of >4.5 on warfarin only.

Interventions: Development and delivery of an educational program in accordance with the current THANZ guidelines was implemented.

Main outcome measures: To improve education regarding the correct management of emergency patients on warfarin with a supratherapeutic INR.

Results: Data on 158 patients with an INR >4.5 were collected. Data on 46 patients were excluded. Management in 31
patients did not follow recommended guidelines. There was no difference detected between groups with 17 compliant with guidelines pre-intervention and 14 post intervention; p=0.87.