New Safety Measures for Patients on Warfarin

Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has introduced new measures to improve safety for patients taking the blood thinning drug Warfarin.

Many patients admitted to hospital may be on Warfarin because they have a condition caused by a blood clot such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs. Preventing harmful blood clots helps to reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Warfarin may also be prescribed to people who have a mechanical heart valve or have had a heart attack.

Patients may also be prescribed Warfarin for the first time during their hospital stay as part of their treatment.

Now, the Trust that runs Queens Hospital, Burton, and the community hospitals in Lichfield and Tamworth, has introduced a document that will improve safety for patients on Warfarin when they are discharged from hospital.

ImageConsultant Haematologist Dr Humayun Ahmad, said: Warfarin has a complex structure which is affected by other medications and diet.

The Warfarin dose that each patient requires is finely balanced by the amount of Vitamin K in their diet. When a patient is unwell and hospitalised their diet is affected and vitamin K intake may be reduced.

Also, other medications required to treat their current illness may alter the effectiveness with which Warfarin is absorbed by the body.

The impact of a hospital stay on Warfarin levels in the body can be erratic for many days after discharge and may affect patient safety, so Burton Hospitals has developed a Warfarin Discharge Checklist document, which will be completed by the discharging doctor and will contain information on the Warfarin doses and the results of blood clotting tests carried out in hospital.

This document will be faxed to the patients GP and a Warfarin clinic, prompting the patient to attend for a check on their Warfarin within 3-5 days of discharge.

Further information is available from :[email protected]  Communications Team Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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