Warfarin Use Post Hospitalization: Pilot Comparative Effectiveness of Telephone Follow-Up

PURPOSE: This study's aims were to evaluate patient knowledge of safe warfarin practices early in treatment, and to pilot a nursing telephone follow-up enhancement to a pharmacy-facilitated discharge. METHOD: Forty-two randomized patients in either "enhanced follow-up" or "treatment as usual" groups completed the study. RESULTS: Enhanced treatment resulted in significant improvement in warfarin knowledge (86% versus 71%). In critical safety related knowledge questions even larger improvements were present (∼96% compared to ∼77%). DISCUSSION: The hypothesis that non-adherence generating rehospitalization is a function of poorer knowledge was not supported as there were no warfarin-related readmissions during the study. CONCLUSION: The study supports the use of enhanced follow up and the need for larger studies to delineate what patient knowledge prevents rehospitalization and cost effective educational efforts.