Clinical studies suggest that home PT monitoring is more effective than uncoordinated management and is as effective as care through specialized anticoagulation clinics for keeping INRs within a therapeutic range. There are accurate and reliable instruments available, but paramount to the success of home PT monitoring is sound patient selection, appropriate patient training, and consistent quality control. The studies evaluating the use of portable PT monitors indicate that the monitors are accurate and can be used appropriately by selected patients with adequate training who are motivated to perform self-testing.
As yet there are no comprehensive quality assurance (QA) programs to check the performance of the instruments. Ideally monitors should be recalled periodically to the clinic where they have been prescribed to the patient. During each visit, the clinic may check the monitors and patient self- testing performance as described. Such comprehensive QA system would make monitoring of oral anticoagulant treatment by self-testing safer and more effective.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved portable testing devices that are available by prescription for home use such as:
ProTIME microcoagulation analyzer (International Technidyne Corporation [ITC], Edison, New Jersey)
Harmony INR Monitoring System and Rubicon PT Monitoring System (LifeScan, Inc, Miilpitas, California)
CoaguChek System (Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana).
INRatio System (HemoSense, Miilpitas)
Patient training before PT self-monitoring is a must to ensure that the patient knows the proper technique to obtain and apply a capillary blood sample, and how to use and maintain the monitoring device. Additionally, patients should have a working knowledge of haemostasis and oral anticoagulation therapy, the potential adverse effects, and possible consequences of drug interactions to enable them to respond and make appropriate treatment adjustments.
I am not aware of the use of such devices and you may need to directly contact the manufacturers who might be able to help. Do also consult the treating physician before using the device.