Anticoagulation Clinic
Pharmacists at the Swedish Anticoagulation Clinic work with patients and their physicians to manage anticoagulation therapy.
Since many other medications, foods and diseases can affect the response to anticoagulant medication, frequent blood tests are required to determine how fast the patient's blood is clotting.
For patients receiving anticoagulant medication, the test to learn how fast the blood clots is called the prothrombin time. International normalized ratio (INR) is a calculation made to standardize prothrombin time. INR is based on the ratio of the patient's prothrombin time and the normal mean prothrombin time.
We offer:
- Rapid INR result using the finger-stick method of blood testing
- Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and fondaparinux
- Vitamin K management
- Management of bleeding complications
- Screening for drug interactions and medication management
- Bridge therapy for patients requiring surgical procedures
Anticoagulant medications help people with blood clotting disorders by thinning the blood and keeping it thin to prevent clots from forming.
Those with an existing blood clot such as:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in a large vein, most commonly in the leg
- Pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lungs)
Patients are also at risk of blood clots if they have had a stroke or heart attack, or if they have:
- Artificial heart valves
- Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat)
We welcome patients at any stage of anticoagulation therapy. A physician referral is required. Patients may contact one of our clinics with their physician name, and we can contact the physician for referral authorization. Once we receive a referral authorization, we contact the patient to schedule the first visit.