The Cardiovascular Center of Hampton Roads' Coumadin Clinic is designed to manage patients taking the anticoagulation medicine Coumadin, or its generic form warfarin. The Clinic is staffed by Registered Nurses and Certified Medical Assistants who have specific knowledge of anticoagulation therapy. These staff members work closely with the cardiologists to make sure each Coumadin patient is kept within a safe therapeutic range. When first starting Coumadin, patients need to have their blood checked frequently until their dose is regulated. The Protime test will need to be checked one or two times a week at first. The frequency of testing will be gradually decreased to every two weeks, then to every month. The test must be done at least once a month after therapy is stable. Testing frequency may change if a dose change becomes necessary. These are general guidelines applied to all of our patients. The frequency of testing will also depend on other factors, such as your clinical condition and your physician's recommendations.

Protime testing is done in all of our offices by appointment only. The test is done by finger stick and only takes a few minutes. The clinic staff reads the results, instructs the patient on what dose of Coumadin to take, and schedules the next Protime appointment. Patients also receive a dosage calendar to follow until their next visit, and will have an opportunity to discuss any Coumadin-related problems they may be having with the staff. Because we are only authorized to manage the anticoagulation part of your medical care, it is very important that you see your primary physician as directed for your medical needs.

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