CCG pilots patient self-monitoring

The Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group is piloting a self-monitoring service for patients using anticoagulation drug Warfarin.

The CCG is the first to launch the new automated service from Inhealthcare, with the aim of relieving pressure on warfarin clinics.

The system allows patients to self-test at home and receive their adjusted warfarin dose via INRstar anticoagulation dosing software. Previously, these patients had to attend clinic every few weeks for a simple blood test.

Dr Peter Randall, clinical lead for the home testing pilot on the island, said all the Warfarin clinics are experiencing a high volume of patients and enabling patients to self-test will alleviate pressure on GPs.

“The reduction in patients  attending the clinics will allow more time to be spent with more complex patients, increasing the level of care for all,” he added.

Patients use a Roche INR self-testing device and send their readings securely to the local clinic via a phone call or by going online. Inhealthcare technology integrates this new data into clinical decision support software INRstar, which feeds into the patient record. The patient’s new warfarin dosage is automatically calculated and relayed back to the patient.

The CCG is piloting the service to 100 patients in the Sandown area of the Isle of Wight and it will be offered to others, if successful.

The CCGs primary care commissioning manager Pauline Mairs said the new service allows for much greater patient convenience and empowerment.

“We hope that this digital service will allow patients to take a greater interest in their condition, monitoring their INR enabling them to stay within their therapeutic range – reducing their risk of a stroke,” she said.