A comparison of rural and urban anticoagulation management of atrial fibrillation in a southwest Missouri health system.

The purpose of this study is to determine if an opportunity exists to improve anticoagulation therapy for non-hospitalized, chronic atrial fibrillation patients cared for by St. John's Health System physicians. Clinical chart review consisted of 200 patients in both the urban and rural practice groups. Urban practices were found to have 95 percent of the cases receiving warfarin, 95 percent confidence interval (90-100). Rural practices were found to have 97 percent of the cases anticoagulated, 95 percent confidence interval (88-99).