anticoagulation.com

The National Patient Safety Agency has released Patient Safety Alert 18 on Anticoagulation which should be read by all staff involved in providing anticoagulation. Additional resources are also available.

In Safer Hands - Special focus: Warfarin This pamphlet produced by RCGP Quality Unit with the support of the National Patient Safety Agency has been distributed to all practices in the UK. It described the issues to be considered to provide a safe and effective Near Patient Testing within primary care and recommends the use of Computer Decision Support Software such as INRstar. INRstar provides features to meet the majority of the points highlighted:

	Complies with the Birmingham model
	Audits - Simple to use graphical reports of Rosendaal & Point Prevalence (also provides quarterly confidential feedback of point prevalence)
	Complies to the British National Formulary guidance.
	Has facilities to record and chart internal and external quality controls.
	Produces clear printed dosing diaries for the patient which can be customised by the practice (yellow books are catered for).

	Building a Safer NHS for patients. Best Practice Guidance by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, pub. NHS, 22 Jan 2004.
	Oral anticoagulation management and stroke prevention: The primary care perspective. A very respected and useful book to everyone involved in primary care anticoagulation.