Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1992-9-24
pubmed:abstractText
Prothrombin time monitoring of oral anticoagulation is highly dependent on the tissue thromboplastin used. In the United States, patients have received a higher level of anticoagulation because of the use of a less sensitive thromboplastin. Many advocate the use of an International Normalized Ratio to rectify this problem. Laboratory supervisors from all acute care hospitals in Massachusetts were surveyed to determine the disparity in thromboplastin use and reporting practices for prothrombin time testing. Eighty-eight of 103 (86%) hospitals responded. Fifty-eight lots from six manufacturers of thromboplastin were in use. The International Sensitivity Index of these lots ranged from 1.89 to 2.74. Ninety-nine percent of hospitals reported prothrombin times in raw seconds. Only 5% reported an International Normalized Ratio. Sixteen different coagulation instruments were in use. Close to 70% of laboratory supervisors had little or no understanding of the significance of an International Sensitivity Index or an International Normalized Ratio. The management of oral anticoagulation appears far less precise than had been believed. Prothrombin times in the same individual from different laboratories may have poor correlation. Based on the level of understanding of laboratory supervisors, extensive education will be necessary to change practices and improve accuracy and comparability of prothrombin time testing.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0002-9173
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
98
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
237-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1992
pubmed:articleTitle
Imprecision of prothrombin time monitoring of oral anticoagulation. A survey of hospital laboratories.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article