PURPOSE AND TARGET AUDIENCE
Warfarin is the most commonly prescribed anticoagulant for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic events. Patients who are not taking the dose that is right for them are at an increased risk for severe toxicity or an inadequate response.

Recent reports indicate that 70 to 100 severe bleeding events occur each year for every 1000 patients treated with warfarin (Higashi et al. JAMA 2002;287:1690-98; Margaglione M et al. Thromb Haemost 2000;84:775-8). Each of these events can result in an average hospital stay of 6 days and average healthcare costs of $16,000 for each event (Fanikos J et al. Am J Cardiology 2005;96:595-8).

Pharmacogenetic testing is now available and recommended by the FDA for safe warfarin management. This online course examines the various aspects of warfarin dosing.

This program is designed for physicians, specifically any physician that routinely administers warfarin.


CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
Physician Credit - The University of Louisville Continuing Health Sciences Education office designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.


INSTRUCTIONS & REGISTRATION
The course costs $15 and takes approximately one hour. During the course you will watch and listen to a video lecture and view a handout. After reviewing the materials, you will take an online test and receive your results instantly.

If you pass, you will be taken to a web page confirming your continuing education credit, which you will need to print for your records. If you do not pass, you may retake the course as many times as necessary.
To Register For Your Course, Click Here


COURSE DIRECTOR/INSTRUCTOR
Kristen K. Reynolds, Ph.D.
Director of Laboratory Operations
PGXL Laboratories
Louisville, Kentucky


MODERATOR
Roland Valdes, Jr., Ph.D.
Clinical Chemistry Fellowship Program Director and Senior Vice-Chair
Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
University of Louisville School of Medicine
Louisville, Kentucky


LEARNING OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE: Appreciate the multitude of problems associated with current warfarin dosing algorithms in stroke patients.
OUTCOME: So healthcare providers can plan to avoid warfarin-induced ADRs in stroke patients and patients with cardiovascular complications.


HARDWARE & SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
In order to take this course, you must have a PC that runs Windows XP and has at least 500 MB of RAM. You must have a broadband internet connection or better; the course will not work with a dialup internet connection. You must also have the following programs installed: Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, Windows Media Player 10.0 or higher and Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or higher.


COMMERCIAL SUPPORT
The sponsors wish to thank TM Bioscience for their generous support of this educational activity.


DISCLOSURES
Dr. Reynold's disclosures: Director of Laboratory Operations, PGXL

Dr. Valdes' disclosures: Officer and Consultant, PGXL Laboratories, LLC; Consultant, Roche Molecular


ORIGINAL RELEASE/TERMINATION DATES
Course Originally Released On: 1/22/07
Date of Most Recent Review: 1/22/07
Course Termination Date: 1/22/10


ACCREDITATION
The University of Louisville School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.


TECHNICAL SUPPORT/QUESTIONS
If you need technical support or have questions about the course, please e-mail us at chse@louisville.edu or call us at 502-852-5329.


PRIVACY POLICY
All information provided by course participants is confidential and will not be shared with any other parties for any reason.