TrakCare Referral to the Anticoagulation Service
Prior to discharge, a prescriber must refer all patients on, or to be commenced on warfarin (or acenocoumarol) to the Adult Glasgow and Clyde Anticoagulation Service (GCAS).
This should be regardless of whether:
- Their anticoagulation is considered stable or not
- They had an appointment arranged prior to admission
It is essential that patients are referred to GCAS on discharge so the patient’s INR can be appropriately monitored. Non-referral, and therefore lack of appropriate monitoring, has the potential to put the patient at significant risk of thrombosis or bleeding.
Patients on warfarin or acenocoumarol should be referred electronically via TrakCare. Patients on Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs e.g. apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban or rivaroxaban) should NOT be referred.
If referred within GCAS office hours (Mon – Fri 9am - 4pm), details of the appointment will be added to patient’s Clinical Record within one hour and the clinical area will be telephoned with the details; referrals made outwith these hours, and on public holidays, will be actioned the next working day. All patients should be seen by GCAS within one week of discharge.
How to make a referral via TrakCare:
- Select ‘New Request’ tab
- Select the ‘Others’ tab
- In the ‘Order Item’ space, type in ‘anti’ and search. Select ‘Adult Anticoagulation Referral’
Key Points:
- Refer all patients on discharge to GCAS (via TrakCare) even if they had an appointment arranged before admission
- Please note - Non-referral to GCAS has the potential to put the patient at significant risk of thrombosis or bleeding
- Complete the request with as much information as possible as this will aid subsequent monitoring and dosing
- Urgent referrals and queries can be made by phoning the GCAS office on 0141 201 6600
- If you do not have access to TrakCare, please telephone the GCAS office
- Appointment details can be viewed in the ‘other orders’ section of the patient’s Clinical Record
Originally published 22/01/19, updated 01/02/22. Medicines Update blogs are correct at the time of publication.