The Protime Clinic provides patients with instant information on their necessary dosages of Coumadin, a blood-thinning medication. Patients with a variety of diagnoses, including histories of heart disease or stroke, deep vein thrombosis and artificial valve replacements, require Coumadin therapy to minimize the likelihood of blood clots. Therapy includes periodic monitoring of their medication based on a regular blood test. Previously, patients had to wait for a follow-up phone call from their physician to find out their lab results and dosage advice.

"Bedford Regional Medical Center patients can now schedule an appointment to see a Protime Clinic nurse, who performs a fingerstick and obtains a blood sample and tests it to calculate the ratio of medication to blood," said Bonita Strunk, BRMC's Health Management Coordinator. Strunk added that the visit allows nurses to obtain more comprehensive patient histories and to inform patients of the medications' interaction with other prescription drugs and certain diets.

What Is Coumadin?

Coumadin (Warfarin) is an oral anticoagulant ("bloodthinner") which is currently used in cardiology and other fields of medicine, to prevent or treat thromboembolic events (improper blood flow, clotting and its effects). Some of these conditions include cerebrovascular accident ("stroke"), atrial fibrillation, blood clots in arteries or veins, pulmonary embolism, severe heart failure, extensive heart attacks, heart valve replacement, and sometimes, following stent placement in a blood vessel.

The use of Coumadin must be monitored closely to ensure correct dosage and to minimize the risk of bleeding due to excessive blood-thinning. Until recently, a patient needed to have his/her blood drawn in the lab, analyzed and reported to the physician. This process is cumbersome and necessitates blood draw from an arm vein; processing results and resulting notification by the physician's office may take up to 48 hours, while the patient may still be taking a dosage that needs to be modified.

Information for Referring Physicians & Patients

If you are a physician and are interested in obtaining additional information on the Protime Clinic, or if you have a patient who you would like to refer to the clinic, please contact us at (812) 275-1200 ext. 2231 or e-mail the Health Management Coordinator. Please note that your patient may use the services of our Protime Clinic and continue to be managed by you. If you are a physician and are interested in obtaining additional information on BRMC's clinic, or if you have a patient who you would like to refer to the clinic, please contact us at (812) 275-1200 ext. 2231, or e-mail Health Management Coordinator. Please note that your patient may use the services of our Protime Clinic and continue to be managed by you.

If you are a patient on Coumadin therapy and would like more information regarding the Protime Clinic, please contact us at (812) 275-1200 ext. 2231 or email Health Management Coordinator.

Call (812) 275-1200, extension 2231 for more information or to sign up for a class.