Survey on Patient Information about the Home Administered Anti-Coagulant Treatment

Abstract

Even though new classes of anti-coagulants are needed, from the category of the X-factor inhibitors (apixaban, rivaroxaban) or of the thrombin direct inhibitors (dabigatran) that pose a low bleeding risk and that do not need INR monitoring, the class of coumarin anticoagulants (acenocoumarol, hydroxycoumarin) still remain precious anticoagulants. That is why the patients’ education in relation to their home-administered treatment for the control of its efficacy and the prevention of bleeding-related complications is compulsory. This education is supposed to start in the hospital and continue thereafter, but the real testing of the patient’s knowledge after they are released is not a part of the usual protocols. This study assesses the level of this knowledge for the purpose of optimizing the educational process and strengthening the clinician-patient relationship.