Impact of a New Method of Warfarin Management on Patient Satisfaction, Time, and Cost

Abstract

STORM₂ is more convenient, less complicated, preferred by patients, and saves patients time and money compared with clinic management.

The Changing Face of Anticoagulation Management: An Improving Countenance

“…In this issue of Pharmacotherapy, two studies report on a hybrid system entitled self-testing with online remote monitoring and management (STORM 2 ). 10,11 With this system, patients were provided with extensive education, and they used an at-home point-of-care testing device, uploaded their results onto a secure Web site, and were able to interact virtually with an anticoagulation clinic member. Dr. Henry Bussey and colleagues showed that their STORM 2 system resulted in a 25% point increase in the TTR compared with the preintervention period.…”

“…Not surprisingly, Dr. Sarah Meyer and colleagues reported that this system of INR monitoring was preferred by 90% of patients compared with routine anticoagulation clinic monitoring. 11 It also appeared that this system may be less costly to patients, although a formal cost analysis was not performed. A 2007 cost-effectiveness analysis of studies conducted in the United Kingdom suggested that patient self-management was unlikely to be more cost-effective than management in an anticoagulation clinic, although the comparability of these data to practices in the United States is unclear.…”

“…Recent studies have attempted to utilize the advantages of patient self‐testing and self‐management and combine them with technologic advances and pharmacists' skills to improve anticoagulant management. In this issue of Pharmacotherapy , two studies report on a hybrid system entitled self‐testing with online remote monitoring and management (STORM 2 ) . With this system, patients were provided with extensive education, and they used an at‐home point‐of‐care testing device, uploaded their results onto a secure Web site, and were able to interact virtually with an anticoagulation clinic member.…”

“…This system has the benefit of utilizing technology in addition to anticoagulation expert input to maximize INR control while minimizing patient burden. Not surprisingly, Dr. Sarah Meyer and colleagues reported that this system of INR monitoring was preferred by 90% of patients compared with routine anticoagulation clinic monitoring . It also appeared that this system may be less costly to patients, although a formal cost analysis was not performed.…”

PORTALS: design of an innovative approach to anticoagulation management through eHealth

“…Research showed that self-management with online support results in improved INR values (Time in Therapeutic Range, TTR, of 10–23%) compared to self-management without online support (less than 4% improvement of TTR) [9, 10]. Moreover, patient satisfaction is higher when using online remote monitoring of INR [11]. Based on these results we conclude that eHealth applications do improve self-management of vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant therapy, resulting in better clinical outcomes.…”