Computer control of antiocoagulant dose for therapeutic management

Abstract

Objective - To improve the standard of managing anticoagulant treatment and provide a basis for therapeutic quality control. Design - Implementation of a comprehensive computerised system for decision support. Setting - Three anticoagulant clinics in South Warwickshire. Subjects - Patients in South Warwickshire receiving anticoagulant treatment from September 1988 to March 1989. Main outcome measure - International normalised ratio was measured and recorded at each visit. Results - 688 Patients' visits were analysed statistically, and 38% improvement was achieved in the results of international normalised ratios falling within the recommended therapeutic ranges of the British Society for Haematology. Conclusions - The implementation of a computerised anticoagulation support system resulted in better management of patients. The system provides a basis for uniform management of treatment and a common platform for national or international trials.