Anticoagulation

Your physician has referred you to the Anticoagulation Clinic (ACC) for management of your warfarin (Coumadin) therapy. Our goal is to help you manage your medication safely and maximize the benefits of this treatment.

The Anticoagulation Clinic is a service provided to patients at Confluence Health. In Wenatchee, ACC is an outpatient clinic associated with the Confluence Health Hospital | Mares Campus & Clinic.

A cardiologist or physician from Confluence Health serves as the medical director (on the Wenatchee campus). Clients meet with a registered nurse or an advanced practitioner such as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. The staff works together with the physician, patient and involved family members or caregivers to manage this portion of the patient’s health care.

What is Anticoagulation?

Anticoagulation is a term that describes the process of reducing the chance of blood clots forming. Due to certain conditions such as atrial fibrillation, mechanical heart valves, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or other forms of blood clots, many patients require the use of an anticoagulant. By slowing down the clotting process with medications, the risk of developing future blood clots is reduced.

To be effective, warfarin must be administered to maintain a prescribed level of anticoagulation. Close monitoring of warfarin is required to maintain a safe level of anticoagulation. Too much warfarin could potentially put the patient at risk for excessive bleeding complications. Not enough warfarin increases the risk of abnormal blood clots forming.