Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, are drugs that prevent blood clots from forming. The effectiveness of anticoagulants can vary over time because of changes in diet, alcohol use and illness. As a result, many stroke and heart patients must receive monthly or even weekly finger sticks to test the clotting time of their blood, and to adjust the dosage of blood thinners they are taking.

DeKalb Memorial Hospital's Anticoagulation Services Clinic allows them to get test results and their adjusted medication dosage within 15 minutes, instead of the 24-hour turnaround time they could face now.

The program, operated by registered nurses and a pharmacist certified in anticoagulation therapy, performs as many as 300 blood draws each month.

To participate, patients need a referral and an order from their doctor. Once accepted, they come to the clinic at a scheduled time, register and be tested with little or no waiting. Program fees are covered by most insurance plans, as well as by Medicare and Medicaid.

The anticoagulation services program is housed in the Hospital's Outpatient Specialty Clinic, Suite C. and is open on Mon. Wed. and Fri. from 8 am - 4:30 pm. We also offer clinic hours in Butler and Garrett.

For more information, call 260.920.2738 or 1-800-925-4600 ext 2738 for all appointments.

<--about us-->
<--career opportunities-->
Career Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities
<-- healthcare services -->
<--news and events-->
<-- Patient Information -->