Drive Through Point of Care International Normalized Ratio Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lisa Deacon,Jaclyn Stoppi

doi:10.21061/jvs.v6i2.205

Abstract

In order to help combat COVID-19 and provide consistent and safe care for the veterans at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center (WPVAMC), a drive through Point of Care International Normalized Ratio (POC-INR) testing site was implemented. This drive through clinic allows veterans taking warfarin to safely obtain anticoagulation management while complying with social distancing guidelines.

Highlights

In order to help combat COVID-19 and provide consistent and safe care for the veterans at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center (WPVAMC), a new process was implemented for the Anticoagulation clinic for those who cannot or do not want to be switched off of warfarin and at the same time require safe anticoagulation management via point of care International Normalized Ratio (POC-INR) testing
A drive through POC-INR clinic has been implemented since April 17, 2020 and will continue to run at least until the medical center is open at full capacity
This set up made implementing a drive through INR testing site at the facility a feasible option in order to comply with social distancing standards, help decrease outpatient visits, and decrease potential virus exposure

Summary

Introduction

In order to help combat COVID-19 and provide consistent and safe care for the veterans at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center (WPVAMC), a new process was implemented for the Anticoagulation clinic for those who cannot or do not want to be switched off of warfarin and at the same time require safe anticoagulation management via point of care International Normalized Ratio (POC-INR) testing. Patients would come into the medical center for the POC-INR test and could leave and have a same day follow-up telephone visit with one of the anticoagulation pharmacists, if they did not have a critical INR that needed immediate face-to-face attention. This set up made implementing a drive through INR testing site at the facility a feasible option in order to comply with social distancing standards, help decrease outpatient visits, and decrease potential virus exposure. Ratio Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic within ±20% of venipuncture INR (Bikdeli et al, 2020; Food and Drug Administration, 2016; Johnson, 2017)

Methods

Results

Conclusion