BACKGROUND: The potential of warfarin related harm is increased if clinicians lack the full patient specific information to make informed decisions-an e-proforma has been developed to communicate this information on hospital discharge. OBJECTIVE: To determine the views of general practitioners (GPs) on a warfarin discharge e-proforma. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of all GPs (n = 272) within the Raigmore Hospital catchment area of NHS Highland, Scotland. RESULTS: The response rate was 39.3 % (107/272). 84 (78.5 %) noticed recent changes to information supplied on discharge for warfarin patients. 64 (59.8 %) respondents thought this would result in more informed prescribing with regards to dosing, while 65 (60.7 %) felt this would improve safety. Accurate completion, timely receipt of the e-proforma and a realistic date for subsequent INR tests were considered important by GPs. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the use of an e-proforma to communicate information about a high-risk medication, warfarin, to GPs on discharge optimises safe, informed prescribing and monitoring in primary care. The development of a discharge e-proforma for other high-risk medication as a patient safety improvement measure should be explored.
BACKGROUND: The potential of warfarin related harm is increased if clinicians lack the full patient specific information to make informed decisions-an e-proforma has been developed to communicate this information on hospital discharge. OBJECTIVE: To determine the views of general practitioners (GPs) on a warfarin discharge e-proforma. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of all GPs (n = 272) within the Raigmore Hospital catchment area of NHS Highland, Scotland. RESULTS: The response rate was 39.3 % (107/272). 84 (78.5 %) noticed recent changes to information supplied on discharge for warfarinpatients. 64 (59.8 %) respondents thought this would result in more informed prescribing with regards to dosing, while 65 (60.7 %) felt this would improve safety. Accurate completion, timely receipt of the e-proforma and a realistic date for subsequent INR tests were considered important by GPs. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the use of an e-proforma to communicate information about a high-risk medication, warfarin, to GPs on discharge optimises safe, informed prescribing and monitoring in primary care. The development of a discharge e-proforma for other high-risk medication as a patient safety improvement measure should be explored.
Authors: Gina Rogers; Eric Alper; Diane Brunelle; Frank Federico; Clark A Fenn; Lucian L Leape; Leslie Kirle; Nancy Ridley; Brian R Clarridge; Dragana Bolcic-Jankovic; Paula Griswold; Doris Hanna; Catherine L Annas Journal: Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf Date: 2006-01