An evaluation of the safety and acceptability of an anticoagulation clinic in a community pharmacy setting - A pilot study

Aim. To assess the acceptability and safety, and patient's perspectives, of an anticoagulation monitoring service offered by community pharmacists. Design. Patient questionnaires and quantitative methods. Subjects and setting. 16 patients attending an anticoagulation clinic in a community pharmacy in north London. Outcome measures. Patients' measured international normalised ratios before and after transfer of care to community pharmacy clinic; patients' perceptions. Results. Patient satisfaction and perceptions of the pharmacists were high. Patients experienced less disruption to their lives than in a hospital clinic. Control of INR was at least as good as that obtained in the hospital clinic. Over 50% of patients thought they would be able to measure their INRs at home using the same equipment. At the end of the pilot period 14 of the 16 patients (86%) wanted the service established permanently. Conclusion. A safe and effective anticoagulation monitoring service can be delivered in a community pharmacy by community pharmacists.