Information
Patient Safety: Communication and Coumadin®
PTINR.com Staff
Good communication is key to Coumadin® Safety
Communication, consistency and compliance are the three C’s to your safety while taking Coumadin®* (warfarin). Good communication includes not only asking about other medication use and diet, but also making sure you clearly understand how to take your Coumadin®exactly how your physician intends you to take it.
In today’s busy, fast-paced world – you have an increasingly important role in your care. Patients meeting with their healthcare professional often leave with a renewal prescription for Coumadin®or its generic equivalent warfarin (Coumadin ®). Doctors or nurses will often explain the details of the prescription with their patients. “Take two on Monday” may mean take one 2mg Coumadin on Monday or some may interpret this to mean, take two 2mg tablets on Monday – this simple misunderstanding would result in a doubling of the dose and may lead to an increased risk of bleeding.
Communication is a two-way street. Prior to leaving your healthcare professional’s office, you may want to carefully review your prescription and repeat back to them what you understand your prescription to be. This will help avoid possible errors or miscommunication.
Another valuable check is to read the instructions on the pharmacy label of your new or renewed prescription and make sure you understand exactly how to take your Coumadin® each day. The pharmacy that dispenses your medicine is always available to answer questions about proper dosing and possible drug interactions.
To err is human. The transactions between: doctor-nurse-pharmacist and patient leaves room for error over time. A valuable tool to help make sure your dose is right for you is Home INR Testing.
If you have questions about Home INR Testing, including insurance coverage, please call QAS at 1-800-298-4515.
*Coumadin® is a registered trademark of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company