INR Home Testing Machine For Margaret

January 7th, 2009

Patients selecting mechanical heart valve replacements are typically required to monitor their INR levels (international normalized ratio) to prevent risks of blood clotting, hemorrhage or stroke.

To ease this process, home INR testing machines are now becoming more affordable and easy-to-use. That said, here is a patient testimonial from Margaret R. about her experience with a home INR testing machine she just received:

Dear Adam,

I just wanted to let you and everyone else know that I received my INR home machine last week. I had a nurse from the company come to my home and train me on it. It’s just wonderful fast and easy, start-to-finish is less then a few minutes and only requires one drop of blood.

My doctor’s office has been great in getting me set up on the INR home test meter. My insurance company is paying for 80% of the rental cost and I pay 20% – which is only about $26.00 a month.

This amount covers the cost of the rental unit plus supplies of the reader card and needles. If anyone else would like to try and get a home INR machine, here is what I did. I went online and Google’d INR home test machine. The search came up with many options and I called them requesting the forms. They then called my doctor’s office with the information and 4 weeks later it was done.

I’m now enjoying a very long needed break to the veins in my arms and loving it.

Thanks for your book and blog!

Margaret

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates clinical research with the personal experiences of 135 former patients to help future patients and their caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.

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8 Comments... Click here to add one.

Carol Lang says on January 7th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

I also was recently approved for the INR Meter. After you get the result on the meter, you call a 1-800 number & punch in your result. Example 2.8 is 2 * 8 # They have your cardiologists “target range” in their computer. If you are “out of range” the prompt says “connecting to a healthcare professional” & then you are connected to the doctor’s office. If you are “in range” they FAX the result to your MD’s office & you maintain the same Coumadin
dose. What a great service!

Tammy Fillion says on January 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pm

Can you please tell me where you go about getting this? My grandmother recently had a valve replaced and this would be a great alternative to them picking her every other day.

Thanks so much.

Marlene Antelope says on May 13th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

I go to a free clinic for my INR, I want to know how they can get another INR machine donated.

Mark Larson says on February 24th, 2010 at 11:23 am

I would be very careful regarding the accuracy of these finger prick machines. They consistently measure my INR 0.5-0.7 higher than it actually is compared with a venous draw. I would compare 3 or 4 times before I totally committed to a home machine.

Gerry says on February 24th, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Im 16 months post aortic valve and ascending aorta surgery. As I was only 42 I was recommended a mechanical valve. I must admit it took a while to get used to taking warfarin daily and the regular blood tests which accompany it. After 4 months I asked my consultant about home testing kits and she thoroughly recommended getting one. I was recommended the CoaguChek XS from Roche Diagnostics. It is really small and simple to use. The staff at Roche were very helpful and supportive when I started. I calibrate my machine with a venous blood test every 6 months but so far the machine has been accurate to 0.1 difference between machine and ordinary blood test. The machine gives you peace of mind and freedom – you’re not forever making appointments at the surgery.You simply do the test at home , dial in your results and the nurse will ring you back leaving a message if your dosage changes. Warfarin no longer rules me. I’m in control of my medication. I would thoroughly recommend getting your own machine.

vickie crawford says on September 7th, 2010 at 2:05 pm

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
PLEASE TELL ME HOW MUCH A HOME PT/INR TEST MACHINE IS, AND WHERE I COULD PURCHASE ONE IN BEDFORD HTS. OHIO 44146. I WOULD ALSO NEED THE TEST STRIP AND ANY SUPPLIES.

Horst Lakits says on June 9th, 2011 at 6:11 am

I am living in Phuket Thailand on a sailboat and need an INR home test kit since I cant go to regular check ups.
Where can I buy one and also the test strips , and have it shipped to Phuket.How much would one cost me?
Thanks
Horst
http://www.biga-sailing.com

Ed Clark says on December 30th, 2011 at 2:59 pm

Need prices and delivery time on portime machines and insurance accepted plus prices on test strips.

INR Home Testing Machine For Margaret

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