Warfarin is a medication to prevent at risk patients developing cardiovascular events due to blood clotting. In most cases, warfarin is prescribed to patients in the first instance in a hospital setting. Thereafter, the international normalized ratio (INR), i.e. taking of blood samples in order to titrate patients' warfarin dosages, is monitored on an ongoing basis in either a hospital setting or in general practice.
The HSE is currently considering plans to move much of the INR activity from hospitals to primary care settings, where appropriate and subject to appropriate clinical governance arrangements being in place.