Anticoagulation Clinic
Sarasota Memorial’s Anticoagulation Clinic is an outpatient medical specialty clinic that helps patients safely manage their anticoagulation medications, including Coumadin, Jantoven, warfarin and low molecular weight heparin.
Doctors typically prescribe the blood thinners to help reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots in people who have had heart attacks, strokes or other serious blood clotting conditions. It is also used as a therapy in patients who have received prosthetic heart valves.
But it can be a delicate balancing act: taking too much increases bleeding, while taking too little increases the risk of blood clots. Because every patient responds differently to these medications, close monitoring is key to successful therapy. Studies show that patients who are managed by Anticoagulation Clinics experience fewer adverse events, including bleeding and blood clots, as well as fewer hospital visits resulting from these complications – and increase the amount of time their blood tests (INR) remain in the appropriate range.
Medical Team
The clinic is staffed with a cardiologist medical director, nurse practitioner and specially trained and certified nurses who work with patients to monitor and adjust their medication dosage and help monitor their overall health.
Small changes and medications – even diet and exercise – can dramatically alter the effects of anticoagulation therapy, which is why more frequent visits to the clinic may be necessary for those first starting this medication. Once the dosage is stabilized, regular follow-up appointments about every four weeks are all that’s needed to manage and monitor anticoagulation therapy.
Clinic Visits include:
• 1-on-1 counseling and regular assessment of INR values, medication and lifestyle changes
• Onsite blood tests (simple finger-stick technology)
• Immediate results, so dosages can be adjusted if needed.
• Ongoing education and support to help patients and their families manage changes in diet, medications and other factors or medical conditions that can affect anticoagulation therapy.
Referrals
We welcome patients at any stage of anticoagulation therapy. A physician’s referral is required. If you do not have a physician, call the center for assistance.
Cost
Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance cover some or all of our services. People who are uninsured or experiencing financial difficulties may be eligible for free or discounted care.
