Assessment and Evaluation efficacy of a clinical pharmacist-led inpatient warfarin knowledge education program and follow up at a Chinese Tertiary referral teaching Hospital

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate clinical pharmacist-led inpatient warfarin knowledge education program and to assess a follow up efficacy in at a Chinese tertiary referral teaching hospital 

Methods: One-on-one interviews questionnaire were conducted among 47 Chinese patients who had undergone prosthetic valve replacement. Before the patient education program’s implement, at discharge time and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery were considered as time points. A previously validated 17-item questionnaire was used to measure the patient’s knowledge level of warfarin and to assess and evaluate a follow up efficacy of this patient education program run by a clinical pharmacist. Knowledge scores were compared using the Student t test or one-way analysis of variance

Results: Patients mean age was 47.68±9.70 years (range 23-67). The higher education strata had significantly higher warfarin knowledge scores (p<0.05; Table 2). In terms of hospital stay post-surgery, compared to others groups, patients with an average of 11 to 14 days, were found significantly and statically higher knowledgeable in Warfarin (p<0.05; Table 2). The clinical pharmacist’ service was found very satisfied f(80.85%).

Conclusion: Chinese patients on warfarin therapy should benefit from periodic educational efforts reinforcing key medication safety information. Patient education is not a once-off procedure. A complete patient education program run by a clinical pharmacist in a cardio-thoracic ward can considerably improve and enhance to reduce the hospital stays and significantly enlighten the role of the patient education in adherence to therapy