Anticoagulation

Anticoagulation Service at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital

The Anticoagulation Service at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital helps to monitor patients who are prescribed medications such as warfarin and low molecular weight heparin. Pharmacists manage the service. They collaborate with physicians and communicate with patients to prevent adverse drug events.

Anticoagulants are used to treat and prevent blood clots in patients who have mechanical heart valves or conditions such as atrial fibrillation, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. Serious bleeding complications can occur while taking anticoagulant medication. Careful monitoring is necessary in order to provide safe and effective treatment.

The Anticoagulation Service strives to optimize patient care by:

• Closely monitoring INR (international normalized ratio) blood test results
• Adjusting medication dosage
• Providing education about warfarin
• Monitoring for potential drug/diet interactions

Patients who take warfarin must have blood tests regularly to prevent bleeding and clotting complications. Blood testing is available at all Scripps . Finger-stick testing is available at Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo by appointment only. Call 858-592-1220 for scheduling.

Patients must be under the care of a Scripps Clinic physician in order to be enrolled into the Anticoagulation Service. To learn more, call 858-554-5595.