Description
INR RELAY is a fully automated centralised dial-out telephone service which converts laboratory INR results, warfarin dose information and clinic appointment times to a voice message – which is then automatically telephoned out to the patient.
There are about 400,000 patients on oral anticoagulants in the UK, and on average each has a blood test every 3 weeks. The service has been running successfully locally in Basildon for the past 5 years – there are 2,500 active patients in the clinic; 80% of patients rely on the phone to get their result the same day as the test, and there have been no recorded erroneous reports (out of about 500,000 phone calls).
The incentive for this innovation was delays in the traditional method of communication (postal – especially over weekends/holiday periods) and high error rates when humans communicate verbal messages. With INR RELAY patients get their results at least one day earlier than the post – therefore they can modify their dose (if necessary) a day sooner. Costs are lower than using the post, less paper is wasted and less clerical time needed to deliver the service. The system also offers patients a choice of communication channels: phone; letter; fax; or email.
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If you are interested in this system, or would like more information please contact Joop Tanis, Innovation Manager (Service Delivery) Tel. 01480 364925 or [email protected]
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