A Review of Ventricular Assist Device Patients Compliance in INR Reporting Using a New App-Based Programme Compared with Telephone Surveillance

Purpose A new app-based programme for INR reporting was introduced in our cohort of patients, with the aim of improving compliance and patient satisfaction. A comparison between the app-based programme and our current, conventional method of telephone reporting was undertaken. Methods From a cohort of 52 durable Mechanical Circulatory Support patients, 17 patients were enrolled onto the INR app. The remainder of the patient cohort continued to report their INR by telephoning the VAD nurse specialist. All patients were given the opportunity to report their INR between 8am and 1pm on the day requested, either via app or telephone. Patient's who did not contact within this time, were then contacted by the VAD nurse specialist to chase the INR result. Compliance over a 15 day period was reviewed. Results An average of 9 INR submissions were made via the app, per day; with a 96.5% compliance within the allocated time period. Comparatively, the traditional method of reporting by phone showed an average of 14 INR submissions per day, with only an 87% compliance in the telephone group. Of the 17 INR app users, 23.5% of that patient group had a history of poor compliance in reporting their INR. A patient satisfaction survey showed 93.75% of respondents stated that they preferred using the app. All patients who previously had issues with compliance preferred the app and all patients strongly agreed the app was easy to use and had saved them time. Conclusion Compliance in the app group was found to be higher compared to patients who reported their INR by phone. Introduction of the INR app has not only reduced nurse workload, but also saved time for the patients. Patients have responded very positively to the introduction of the app, justifying further enrolment of the remaining patient cohort onto the app.