If you're on warfarin you may be interested in the 20 multiple choice question OAK test (Oral Anticoagulation Knowledge test). It was developed in Maryland, US in 2006 by Zeolla. It was validated in the US and later in Malaysia, which means it is a trustworthy test for finding out how much people understand about taking warfarin. The pass score is 15 or more out of 20. You … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2016
Clot risk – being in hospital
This Medical Monday series is about risk factors for venous thromboembolism, VTE (pulmonary embolism and DVT). The post 'Are you on the red or blue team?' outlines the difference between arterial and venous clots. We are going to cover Strong risk factors; being in hospital, having surgery and immobility Moderate risk factors; age (60+), a previous blood clot, family … [Read more...]
David Clotterfield Saga – scene 5
David Clotterfield and Clara Clearvessel are both on warfarin and as we follow their saga we'll discover their beliefs about anticoagulation through the various comments they make about their lives. At the end of each scene, you'll get a chance to test your knowledge; Are their comments true or false? Before reading this episode, you may like to catch up with the previous … [Read more...]
Top three items for World Thrombosis Day
As it's World Thrombosis Day today, would you be happy to share your knowledge of venous thrombo-embolism with others? These are the things the organisation wants people to know ... 1. Risk of having a blood clot Strong Risk being in hospital having surgery immobility (bed rest, long-distance travel) Moderate Risk age (60+) … [Read more...]
Why you should dress in red and blue tomorrow
Tomorrow is World Thrombosis Day and is our chance to educate friends and family about deadly blood clots. We suggest you dress in red and blue hoping to catch people's attention, then when they comment about your clothes, you can talk about blood clots, both red (stroke and heart attack) and blue (DVT and pulmonary embolus). Paul does this every year, but as his clothes … [Read more...]
Warfarin History 5 – suicide and the president
Like the plot of a movie... Warfarin has been used as a medication for more than 60 years. The discovery of Warfarin is interesting and sounds a bit like the plot of a movie; it includes a president, dead cattle, an attempted suicide and rat poison. Like many scientific discoveries of the last century it involved some serendipity, good fortune, the correct … [Read more...]
Two reasons why you should know your clot risk
Two important findings from a medical journal show that if you have a high risk of blood clots you should maintain a heart healthy lifestyle This is obviously good advice for everyone but when you read some of the statistics from the article it will emphasis the importance if you're at high clot risk. The risk of having a PE was 2.9 times higher in obese women than those … [Read more...]
Weekend reflection – sorrow carves into your being
Rather different to our usual educational posts; this is part of our series of quotes that may help when you’re facing adversity or finding your new normal. You may have discovered your DVT is linked to a diagnosis of cancer, you may have suffered a life-threatening PE or heart attack. Whatever the reason, many of our readers go through difficult times. We post these on … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – Paul’s birthday presents
You may remember Paul turned 60 recently, around the same time as warfarin! I already told you about the phone case I gave him featuring red blood cells; lots of people at the hospital have noticed this and consider it a great present for a haematologist! But I haven't told you about the three presents his children gave him. The final one has an obvious coagulation link, … [Read more...]
Virchows triad – NOT an acrobatic troupe!
I remember sitting in pathology lectures as a medical student, trying to learn the name of yet another famous Victorian physician and wishing that they had been involved in something other than the study of what causes disease. I would have liked it if Virchow’s triad referred to an acrobat troupe, but instead, as was drummed into us, it stands for three classic risk factors … [Read more...]