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QUESTION: In older patients requiring warfarin, is multicomponent comprehensive care (MCC) more effective than usual care for reducing major bleeding events?
Design
Randomised {allocation concealed*}†, blinded (data collectors and outcome assessors),* controlled trial with 6 months follow up.
Setting
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA.
Patients
325 patients (mean age 75 y, 57% women) who were ≥ 65 years of age, received ≥10 000 units of intravenous unfractionated heparin, resided in the area, and had planned warfarin treatment for ≥10 days. Exclusion criteria included treatment with warfarin in the previous 6 months, admission from a nursing home, or enrolment in another clinical trial. Follow up was complete.
Intervention
163 patients were allocated to MCC, which consisted of a guideline based consultation and patient education, coaching, and self monitoring of prothrombin time with a portable monitor. Home visits were made 3 days after discharge to assess the patients' ability …