The Anticoagulation Clinic at The M.S. Hershey Medical Center opened in January 1998 and currently provides standardized care for over 300 patients receiving outpatient anticoagulation. Educational services about anticoagulation, possible interactions, and possible complications and side effects are also provided .
Anticoagulation is a term that describes the process of reducing clots from forming in the blood.
Due to certain conditions such as atrial fibrillation , mechanical heart valves , previous deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism or other forms of blood clots, many patients require the use of an anticoagulant. By thinning the blood, the risk of developing future blood clots is reduced. . Patients are referred from either the inpatient service or the outpatient clinics. A dosing schedule is discussed and plans are made for how and where the patient will receive blood tests. All patients are also instructed on how to contact the Anticoagulation Clinic.