Lab vs Coaguchek INR

[rnff2]

I haven't posted in a while but I'm still lurking around. Lol. I hope you are all doing well.

I need to voice my frustrations...so here goes. I had a lab INR of 2.4 and my Coaguchek was 2.6 on Friday. Same day, about 30 minutes apart. I am very happy with these results as my meter has always been 0.2 higher than my lab results. The nurse from my cardiologist office sent me a message that I need to have my meter checked due to the difference in the tests...is she really serious? I sent her a message back explaining that this is my normal and my meter and lab results are exactly what I expected. I can't believe how so many professionals that monitor and manage patients don't understand Coumadin dosing and INR monitoring. So frustrating...but thanks you many of you here I am now home monitoring and self managing with approval of my cardiologist. I still report my results to them weekly but do my own thing...unless the nurse is being her crazy self and thinks she needs to get involved.

 

[dick0236]

I'm with you. 2.4 vs 2.6 is no big deal........it isn't even a little deal

 

[pellicle]

Agreed

Insignificant difference.

Ask them to verify their compliance to ISI protocols

 

[rnff2]

Thanks guys...I knew you would both say that.

I actually cancelled my service with Coaguchek in January and they let me keep my meter free of charge. I'm buying strips on my own now and saving a lot of money. So I was praying the tests would be close, like they usually are, and I could continue on as usual. It would be my luck something would go wrong so soon after cancelling my service and I would have to buy a new meter. So when the nurse sent the message about calling the company and having my meter checked I was dumbfounded. I just wish nurses would take the time to learn about what they are telling people to do...it doesn't make sense to me. Maybe I should become a coumadin clinic nurse if I ever decide to leave the ER.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

Thanks guys...I knew you would both say that.

well, and you knew you were right too ... because you are ;-)

So I was praying the tests would be close, like they usually are, and I could continue on as usual. It would be my luck something would go wrong so soon after cancelling my service and I would have to buy a new meter.

hang on ... but they are close ... 0.2 INR units is clinically insignificant. It could even be worse, it could be closer and there is a rounding error.
2.44 (rounding to 2.4) and 2.55 (rounding to 2.6) ... there is just no way that any reasonable clinician would call that "not close"

I would ask them to justify to you what action would have been taken had they read 2.6? None right!

Its ******** and being bureaucratic because they are just seeing a wallet deposit walk out the door.

Maybe I should become a coumadin clinic nurse if I ever decide to leave the ER.

you'd never cope with patient non-compliance, and would go mad. Stick with ER ... at least there are rules in there

 

[LondonAndy]

Although my lab tests have always been within 0.2 of my meter results anyway, personally I have greater confidence in my CoaguCheck XS than with lab results on the basis that there are fewer variables and risks. I am perfectly happy with a 0.2 difference between meter reading and lab result. If a lab result showed a bigger than expected difference then I would re-test at home immediately and do more frequent tests (I normally test weekly, and would switch to twice per week) for a week or two to see if there was a trend of change. If a change is shown then I would follow-up with a visit to my anti-coag clinic.

 

[rnff2]

Busy weekend...sorry I haven't replied sooner.

pellicule...You are right...I wouldn't survive caring for non ER patients. I would go crazy working anywhere else. Lol.

LondonAndy...I agree, I trust my meter too. And if the results were way off I would just test a little more often until I was comfortable again.

Tomorrow, Monday is INR test day...it is always an adventure to see what the nurse may say. Lol.

 

[Freddie]

rnff2: a lab tech told me that they allow a variance +/- of .2 when testing for INR, which is done 3x and then they take the average of the 3 results.
Trust your meter.