Wintertime brings up images of cold weather and holiday shopping. Because winter is such a busy season, many people can lose sight of their personal health and care. However, commitments don’t always disrupt health care. Inclement weather or low temperatures can make it difficult to get to the doctor for routine checkups and treatment.
Winter season sees many people leave their home for extended periods, especially during the winter. “snowbirds”Part-time residents are those who have moved from colder areas to live in California and Florida. It is difficult for their regular physician to monitor their treatment and interrupt their health care.
There are new tools that can help anticoagulant medication patients monitor their health even if they are unable to make regular doctor appointments. For example, the CoaguChek XS System from Roche Diagnostics allows patients to monitor their blood-clotting levels or prothrombin times (PT/INR) at home or on the move. While anticoagulants such Coumadin (warfarin), have been prescribed for certain patients to prevent blood from clotting, each patient reacts to them differently. Therefore, it is essential to closely monitor the PT/INR level to prevent any complications such as bleeding.
The traditional method of testing PT/INR
Patients on warfarin typically visit their doctor, a lab, or anticoagulation clinic to have a blood sample taken to determine their PT/INR levels. It is common to have this done several times per week depending on the patient. While this can be very useful information for patients and their doctors to manage anticoagulation therapy, it can also prove difficult for patients, especially in the winter months.
The dawn of patient self testing
Recent Medicare reimbursement changes have made it possible for patients to monitor their PT/INR levels from the comfort of home. Medicare Part B now pays for equipment and supplies, as well as training for users of long-term Warfarin. Patients who monitor their PT/INR at night with a handheld handheld meter will be covered by Medicare. This means that the average cost for the patient is around $30 per month.
According to Dr. Alan Jacobson of Loma Linda University School Of Medicine in California, the new Medicare coverage could be beneficial for patients and doctors. “Now, patients who travel extensively or who have difficulty with access to their doctor’s office can monitor their PT/INR at home,”He stated. “I feel comfortable with this because handheld meters like the CoaguChek XS System are easy to use, and I know the results will be as reliable as results from our office meter and from the lab.”
The easy way to better health
Self-testing is more convenient for many patients and may even lead to better health. Anticoagulation patients who self test on a regular basis are more likely to experience fewer complications than those who don’t. Self-testing for PT/INR accuracy is as accurate as testing done by a healthcare professional, according to studies.
Anticoagulant medication patients must have a prescription from their doctor to purchase a self-testing device and supplies. This will allow them to monitor their PT/INR at their home. The self-testing should be used in conjunction with traditional testing, but not to replace it. A physician should supervise any self-testing. Patients who self-test should notify their physicians immediately to inform them of their results in order to make appropriate adjustments to therapy.
Patients who are interested in self-testing can speak to their doctor. www.TestYourINR.comClick here for more information.
