In the past, patients had blood drawn at the clin ic's laboratory and test results were not available to the physician until later in the day. Sharon Hecker, one of Rocky Mountain Clinic's car diologists, is pleased with the rapid turn-around time. Hecker estimated that between 20-25 percent of her patients are taking anticoag ulants. According to Hecker, those blood thinners are used for stroke prevention with patients diagnosed with con ditions such as atrial fibrilla tion or for those with artifi cial heart valves. Hecker said that the new instrument helps practitioners give more timely recommendations for necessary dosage adjust ments.
Staff nurses perform the tests in patient exam rooms.
Hogan said a small drop of blood, obtained from a finger stick, is all that is needed for the new machine. The blood is placed on a test strip and inserted into the instrument and four minutes later, the patient's result is ready. Feedback from patients thus far has been positive. Patrick Gordon, one of Dr. Hecker's patients, recently came in for testing. He was pleased to bypass the labora tory blood drawing experi ence.