Coumadin Care Center
Certain conditions increase the risk of blood clots, including atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, heart attack, heart (or coronary artery) disease, heart failure, valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and peripheral vascular disease. If you have one of these conditions, your cardiologist is likely to treat you with a blood thinner to protect you from serious problems.
Experts in anticoagulant therapy such as Summit Medical Group cardiologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, and medical assistants supervise the Coumadin Care Center.
An initial patient evaluation will be scheduled 3 to 7 days after you have been referred to the program. The evaluation includes:
- An intake record
- Review of our policies and procedures
- Comprehensive education about Coumadin
- Registration for our program
Patients typically visit the clinic every 2 to 4 weeks for routine visits that last about 15 minutes. During the visit, you will have a blood test to determine how well your Coumadin is working. For your comfort, we use a more painless fingerstick method for blood sampling rather than drawing blood in the traditional manner. Our convenient, on-site lab can provide your test results in as little as 2 minutes. Then, together with your primary care physician, the medical staff at the Coumadin Care Center will decide whether to change your dose. Before you leave, we will give you written results and instructions to follow until your next visit. We also will schedule your next visit before you leave our office.
Families also can visit the center with you to learn about potential drug interactions and side effects. We also can teach them how to help you stay on top of taking and controlling your medication.
Research shows that patients who participate in clinics with an organized approach to anticoagulant therapy are more likely to take their medication regularly and have fewer hemorrhages, heart attacks, and strokes.
To register for our program, you must have a written prescription from your primary physician or cardiologist. The prescription must include your diagnosis and target time for your blood to clot (or international normalized ratio [INR]).
- Click here to print your Physician Office Referral
- Fax your referral to 908-277-8993
To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact your cardiologist's office directly or call 908-273-4300.
Our hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4 PM, by appointment only.
For additional patient resources, please visit the Anticoagulation Forum.
