I thought you might be interested in a new easy-to-read resource from
AHRQ. 
 
Cindy Brach 
Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets 
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 
540 Gaither Road 
Rockville, MD  20850 
phone: 301-427-1444 
fax: (301) 427-1430 
Cindy.Brach at ahrq.hhs.gov 


________________________________

From: Migdail, Karen J. (AHRQ) 
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 2:05 PM
To: AHRQ - ALL AHRQ STAFF
Subject: AHRQ Press Release: AHRQ ANNOUNCES GUIDE TO HELP PATIENTS ON
COUMADIN(r)/WARFARIN THERAPY


Attached and below is a press release issued today, May 22.  For more
information, contact (301) 427-1244.

 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:   AHRQ Public Affairs

Thursday, May 22, 2008
(301) 427-1244

 
(301) 427-1865

AHRQ ANNOUNCES GUIDE TO HELP PATIENTS ON COUMADIN(r)/WARFARIN THERAPY

            The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality today released a new consumer
publication, Your Guide to Coumadin(r)/Warfarin Therapy.  This 20-page,
easy-to-read patient brochure explains what patients should expect and
watch out for while undergoing Coumadin(r)/warfarin therapy. 

            In 2005, more than 3.8 million Americans were taking
Coumadin(r)/warfarin at an estimated cost of nearly $963 million,
according to the latest data from AHRQ. Warfarin is a blood thinner that
is used to help prevent blood clots that can cause a stroke, heart
attack or other serious conditions. Clinicians sometimes prescribe it
for other uses as well, and the booklet is intended to help patients who
have been prescribed the drug to use it as safely as possible. Warfarin
is the second most common drug - after insulin - implicated in emergency
room visits for adverse drug events, according to HHS' Food and Drug
Administration.

            "Warfarin is an effective drug, but it must be used with
special care to avoid dangerous bleeding," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M.
Clancy, M.D. "Individuals respond differently to warfarin, so the dosage
must be personalized to each patient, and it is necessary for patients
and clinicians alike to be aware of the factors that make for safe use
of the drug." 

            A simple blood test can quickly tell whether a patient is
taking too much or too little warfarin. This brochure educates patients
about their medication therapy and potentially dangerous side effects,
explains how to communicate effectively with their health care providers
and provides tips for lifestyle modifications.  It also provides
information on remembering when to take the medicine, learning how to
stay safe while taking the medicine, maintaining a consistent diet and
alerting health care providers to concurrent drugs and/or supplements
patients are taking to avoid any potential adverse interactions.

            This publication was developed through one of AHRQ's
Partnership for Implementing Patient Safety (PIPS) grant projects at
Kirkwood Community College.  The project was led by James Levett, M.D.,
Chief Medical Officer at the Physicians Clinic of Iowa and Carla Huber,
A.R.N.P., M.S., of the Cedar Rapids Healthcare Alliance.  The purpose of
PIPS grants is to assist consumers, clinicians and health care
institutions in implementing safe practices that may eliminate or reduce
medical errors, risks, hazards and harms associated with health care
processes.

            The new booklet can be found online at 
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/coumadin.htm.  It is also featured on the
SOS Rx Coalition's Web site http://www.mybloodthinner.org
<http://www.mybloodthinner.org/> .  Free single copies of Your Guide to
Coumadin(r)/Warfarin Therapy are available by calling the AHRQ
Publications Clearinghouse at (800) 358-9295 or by sending an e-mail to 
AHRQPubs at ahrq.hhs.gov.

 

# # #

 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/healthliteracy/attachments/20080523/ed38ea41/attachment.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Warfarin Guide PR 5 21 08 (final).doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 45568 bytes
Desc: Warfarin Guide PR 5 21 08 (final).doc
Url : http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/healthliteracy/attachments/20080523/ed38ea41/attachment.doc