The experience of Hamad General Hospital collaborative anticoagulation clinic in Qatar during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Hamad General Hospital Anticoagulation Clinic is one of the largest collaborative-practice clinics of its type in Qatar. The patients being followed at this clinic are typically complex and vulnerable. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, measures were implemented at the clinic to minimize the exposure of patients and healthcare providers to the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and to promote social distancing. These measures included extending INR-recall period, transitioning to direct oral anticoagulant drugs whenever feasible, home visits to elderly and immunocompromised patients for INR testing, establishing an anticoagulation hotline, and relocation of warfarin dispensing from the main pharmacy to the anticoagulation clinic. In addition, the clinic shifted its multidisciplinary team meetings onto an online platform using Microsoft Teams. Telehealth consultations were extensively utilized to closely follow up with the patients and ensure that anticoagulation efficacy and safety remained optimal. The aim of this paper is to share our experience and describe the measures adopted by the clinic as part of the Hamad Medical Corporation response to the emerging situation.