Centers & Services
Hours
Monday, 7am - 3:30pmTuesday, 7am - 4:30pm
Wednesday, 8:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday, 7am - 4:30pm
Friday, 8:30am - 3:30pm
Wayson Pavilion, Suite G-10
2003 Medical Parkway,
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Get Here Free parking is available
in Parking Garage B.
Anticoagulation Clinic
Updated 10-18-2011
The AAMC Anticoagulation Clinic is a special clinic that educates patients, monitors blood tests that measures the blood’s clotting ability (INR), reviews your current medications for interactions and adjusts doses for patients who take warfarin (Coumadin). The following are some frequently asked questions that may be helpful.
Why do I need such close monitoring?
You need to take an appropriate dose of warfarin (Coumadin®) in order to prevent clot formation or bleeding. Since many medications, foods, and illnesses can affect your response to warfarin (Coumadin®), frequent blood tests and dose adjustments are required.
How is my blood tested?
Your blood will be tested by a fingerstick instead of being drawn from a vein in your arm. Traditionally, patients on warfarin (Coumadin) have to have a blood test, drawn from an arm vein, called an INR (International Normalized Ratio) to monitor their therapy done by a laboratory. This required a blood draw at a doctor’s office or outside lab. Testing and results can take up to 48 hours.
The clinic uses Point of Care Testing (POCT) to check your INR. POCT uses a hand-held machine to test your INR. With POCT, results are available in minutes using a fingerstick sample allowing for immediate interpretation of the results and dosage adjustments. Upon leaving the clinic you will know your results, your new warfarin dose and when to return for follow-up.
Why choose the AAMC Anticoagulation Clinic?
There are many reasons to choose the AAMC Anticogulation Clinic including:
- Studies have shown that outpatient anticoagulation clinics provide more precise control of anticoagulation. In general, you can expect better outcomes, and fewer problems from either over or under anticoagulation.
- The clinic is staffed by pharmacy clinicians who have extensive experience in dosing anticoagulation therapy. These clinicians interpret your INR and determine immediately if any changes are needed in the dosage before you leave the clinic.
- You will see a clinician at each visit. This allows for assessment of compliance, potential complications, and review of your other drug therapies in order to design a dosing regimen just for you.
- Individualized patient education / counseling helps meet your needs, preferences and lifestyle. Family members and/or caregivers can also be included in the session.
- The clinic has extended hours within set appointment times to better serve patients.
- Clinic staff has access to AAMC patient records, giving the clinician up-to-date information about changes in your medical condition and medications.
- All documentation is done electronically, which gives clinicians directly involved in your care access to the results.
Do I need a referral in order to come to the clinic?
You will need a referral from your physician in order to be enrolled in the AAMC Anticoagulation Clinic. The clinic is accepting referrals from physicians and health care providers affiliated with AAMC for patients currently on warfarin therapy or just beginning therapy.
What will happen during my clinic visit?
Each visit will include a fingerstick to measure your INR, questions about your health, medications changes and upcoming procedures. The clinical pharmacist will then decide if your dose needs to be adjusted and when you will need to return for your next visit. The goal is to have you return as infrequently as possible, but no longer than every 4 weeks. Each visit lasts less than 15 minutes. During your first visit, you will be given some additional education about your warfarin therapy and will take about 45 minutes.
Will my insurance cover my visit to the clinic?
Most insurance plans cover at least some of the visit to the clinic. Coverage and reimbursement may vary depending on the individual plan. Your insurance will be billed automatically. You may be responsible for a co-pay or any unmet deductibles. Please call the clinic for information regarding your specific coverage benefits.