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Anticoagulation Management Service (AMS)

Medication management for patients receiving blood thinners

MazankowskiThe Anticoagulation Management Service (AMS) Clinic is a pharmacist managed service that provides specialized care to patients who require increased monitoring when taking blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications, such as Warfarin, Coumadin, and Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH). Currently, the AMS clinic is located at the University of Alberta Hospital but will move to the heart institute later this year.

Patients' anticoagulation medications are closely monitored to ensure proper treatment and to minimize any bleeding complications. Inadequate thinning can result in the formation of blood clots, and excessive thinning can increase the risk for bleeding.

Pharmacists who specialize in anticoagulation therapy monitor patients' levels of blood thinners within a narrow range to meet an International Normalized Ratio (INR). Their role is to assess each patient for acute health changes, make adjustments to drug therapy, suggest lifestyle modifications, and to check for bleeding or clotting complications.

Referral Information
Patients who are 16 years and older are referred to the AMS clinic by his/her attending physician.

To refer a patient, any physician within the Capital Health region may contact the AMS clinic at 780-407-8597 to request a referral form. Completed referral forms may be faxed to the clinic at 780-407-8907.

Contact Information
Once the completed referral form is received by the clinic, AMS staff works with the physician office to set an appointment date.

If the patient needs to reschedule, he or she may contact the AMS clinic directly at 780-407-8597.

Mail for the AMS Clinic may be sent to:
2C2.14, Walter C. Mackenzie Centre
8440 - 112 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2B7

Location
The AMS clinic check-in and waiting area for patients is located on the second floor within the Cardiology Clinic at 2C2 on the south-west side of the Walter C. Mackenzie Centre, near the waterfall and teahouse. Please see the Level 2 map, for more information.

Parking
Public parking is available at metered, underground, surface, and parkade lots on site. For information on hourly, weekly, and monthly parking, as well as locations, please see the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute information sheet.

About blood clots
Blood clotting is a natural process in which blood cells and fibrin strands, the protein formed during normal blood clotting that is the essence of the clot, clump together to stop bleeding after a blood vessel has been injured. Eventually the clot will form a protective scab over a healing wound.

At times blood clots form even when a person has not been injured. Although most blood clots tend to dissolve on their own with no long-term problems, some clots can cause medical problems, especially if they block blood flow through an artery or vein,  When a clot blocks blood flow to an artery in the heart or brain, a heart attack or stroke may occur. Blood clots can also block veins and arteries throughout the body, causing diseases that range from varicose veins to life threatening pulmonary embolism.

Where can I find more information?
Capital Health and other organizations support online resources on Warfarin, anticoagulation management therapies, and heart health. These resources should be used as a general guideline only. Individual assessment, interpretations, and advice by your cardiologist should always be your most important resource.

For more information, please see:

 

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