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Northwest Hospital & Medical Center and Northwest Prescriptions & Medical Supply operate an anticoagulation clinic in the McMurray Medical Building on the hospital’s main campus. The clinic assists physicians with the management of medication necessary for anticoagulation therapy. This is typically done by adjusting a patient’s dosage of warfarin or Coumadin.

Anticoagulants, also known as "blood thinners", are medications that slow down the blood clotting process. This medication prevents harmful clots that can cause blockages and lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), strokes, or heart attacks.

Our program is directed by a board-certified cardiologist and managed by pharmacists and registered nurses who:

• See each patient face to face in the clinic every four weeks or more often if needed
• Monitor the patient’s laboratory results
• Review patient’s current medications for drug interactions
• Adjust anticoagulation medication as indicated
• Communicate the results of each visit with the patient and his/her referring physician
• Provide patient education regarding anticoagulation therapy

Patients interested in treatment at the Northwest Hospital Anticoagulation Clinic require a referral from their doctor. Please download this referral documents and discuss our program with your physician. Once we receive your referral, Northwest Prescriptions will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Questions You May Have About Our Program

1. Who can use the clinic’s services?
   All patients are welcome, but a physician must initially complete a collaborative care agreement and then provide a referral form for each of their patients.
2. Do I need an appointment? Yes, we see patients by appointment only; please allow about 45 minutes for your initial visit and 15 minutes for subsequent appointments.
3. How often will I need to come?
   Typically, when a patient first begins taking warfarin/Coumadin they may need to be seen twice a week until they are stabilized on the medication. The goal is to stabilize new patients in the appropriate therapeutic range as quickly as possible and to limit return visits to once a month. There are many variables that influence the clotting time associated with anticoagulant therapy including diet and drug interactions, which is why frequent communication with patients and caregivers is essential.
4. Can this anticoagulation therapy be managed over the phone?
   No. Our clinic and insurers require face to face interaction to discuss your therapy.
5. Who should I call for a question about my bill or insurance?
   Please call Northwest Hospital patient financial services at 206-368-6440.
6. Who will call me back if I leave a message?
   You can leave secure voice mail messages for the pharmacist or nurse by calling 206-368-1282. The pharmacist or nurse will respond to all messages as soon as possible. For a timely response, please be sure to clearly state your name and the best number where you can be reached that day.
7. What if I need to change an appointment?
   Please call as soon as you can to reschedule your appointment. If you leave a message please leave possible dates and times around your original appointment and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
8. What if the clinic is closed and I have a problem?
   If it is a medical emergency please call 911. For non-critical, urgent problems, contact your physician. Otherwise, we will respond to all messages during regular clinic hours. If you have questions about how new medications will interfere with your therapy, please discuss your warfarin/Coumadin therapy with the dispensing pharmacist.

For more information on our clinic, our services or your eligibility, please contact us at 206-368-1282.. 1536 North 115th Street Suite #115 Seattle WA 98133 206-368-1282, Fax 206-368-3003 Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.