What to Expect?

Your first visit will last about 30 minutes and will include more detailed questions about your health and medical history.

Follow-up visits will last about 15 minutes.

At each visit, your pharmacist will:

• Ask you about any changes in your overall health and medical history - including diet, alcohol consumption, medication changes, and any missed doses of your anticoagulant.
• Check your blood pressure.
• Check your INR using a portable finger-stick device.
• Discuss your results with you.
• Determine the dose of your Coumadin.
• Provide any education related to your Coumadin or other medications you may have questions about.
• Schedule your next appointment.

Frequency of Monitoring

• If your Coumadin is just being started, your INR will need to be checked one or two times a week until stable. The frequency of testing will decrease to every 2-4 weeks once your INR is within your target range.
• If you have been on your Coumadin for a while and your INR has been stable, you will only need to come to the clinic on a monthly basis.
• Changes in medications, diet, and other clinical conditions may also affect the frequency of testing.

Key Points

• You will still be seen by your primary physician for the management of your condition or disease state.
• Your physician will have full access to your lab results and visits to the Anticoagulation Clinic.
• The clinic will allow for close INR monitoring and Coumadin management with easy access.
• Your pharmacist will provide education to help improve your safety and understanding of your medications.