PT INR

I used to use a coag monitor, if the physician allowed, that gave the results in seconds. Then I would call the physician before I left the home. If its a lab draw, I used to collect them before 2pm, take the right to the lab to be ran A.S.A.P with call results. I would still call the lab at 4pm, see if it was done, give them my fax and call the physician with the results also, this way I could obtain follow up orders. Then I would call the patient. If by chance it was not done, they would call our aswereing service with it, then that nurse would have to contact the physician. Of course I would pass this on to her/him, and what to do, as its my responsibilty to make sure its done right since I collected it.

I had to do one this weekend and all the offices are closed. I usually just call them on Monday through Friday. Then let the MD deal with it. This lady had a 2.2 and 26.1 on the machine. She has stents in and DVT history.

If a pt inr was ordered to be done on a sat or sunday, I would page the dr's office with the result. The dr on call would have to call me. If he chose not to give me any follow up orders, I would ask him "should they stay on the same dose over the weekend"? Keep in mind, this is C.Y.O.A stuff. Then I would contact the office monday to find out any futher orders( like when it need repeated ). Then all of this would be written on a order for the chart.

Thanks! so much. I rely on you guys experience a lot and I really appreciate everyone that post here.

~Willow

I've rarely done them over the weekend, although I have a pt on dailies right now. Call to the doc, follow up with a fax to the office on Monday.

Thanks I tried but I am in rural area no answering service just voice mail grr

~Willow

According to this website she is within normal ranges. It explains it pretty well.

http://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_coumadin.pdf

This is another new area I will need to learn more about. That is why I think the ANA should bring back the certification for HH. It is a different world of nursing with a lot of critical thinking.

Well, if it was 2.2, isnt that WNL? I mean, here, the docs want the INR between 2 and 3 with DVT's, but not sure what this doc has ordered.

I have found that when taking orders for weekend PT/INR's, when I ask "And whom shall I page with the results?", Suddenly that weekend PT/INR can wait until Monday to be drawn, lol.

I have found that when taking orders for weekend PT/INR's, when I ask "And whom shall I page with the results?", Suddenly that weekend PT/INR can wait until Monday to be drawn, lol.

:up:

Go figure.

We do ALL our labs M-F.. we never draw on a weekend. Well.. RARELY. VERY rarely. But if we do, the PCP will be available for the results and following orders.. they don't leave us hanging on these special cases.

It was good with the doctor I got a hold of him today. We ended up 2 nurses short and they are hiring people as soon as interviewing if we can get some one in. We have had to go on no admits atm. We have two RN's FT and one PT. I went to do this lady's on Friday and the machine was broke so we had to get it fixed. We don't normally do them on weekends.

Thanks for all the replies.

~Willow