Table 9 Cardiovascular nurses’ practice patterns; use of oral anticoagulants, involvement in oral anticoagulation therapy and use of patient INR self-management
Question | n (%) |
|---|---|
Oral anticoagulants in use in daily practice | |
• Warfarin (Coumadin) • Dabigatran (Pradaxa) • Rivaroxaban (Xareltro) • Apixaban (Eiliquis) | 51 (100) 33 (65) 33 (65) 11 (22) |
Will patients be offered a choice of drug? | |
• No, all patients will be put on warfarin first • Some patients may be offered new anticoagulation • Most patients will be given a choice | 1 (2) 41 (82) 8 (16) |
Will patients on warfarin be able to change to one of the new drugs? | |
• No, they will need to stay on warfarin • May change if difficulties keeping INR in therapeutic range • Any patient can change to one of the new drugs | 1 (1) 29 (59) 19 (39) |
Do you offer patients INR self-testing or self-management? | |
• Both self-testing and self-management of INR • Only self-testing of INR • Neither self-testing nor self-management • Never heard about self-testing of self-management of INR | 6 (12) 0 (0) 30 (60) 14 (28) |
The role of nurses regarding anticoagulants in your country | |
• Do not have a specific role • Counsel patients regarding adherence to drug regimen • Advice patients on dosing warfarin based on INR results • Teach about drugs, how to take them and side effects | 11 (21) 34 (65) 8 (15) 33 (64) |