Anti-Coagulation (Specialist Nurses)
The service offers near patient testing for anti-coagulant therapy with assistance of computerised decision support systems. The service is offered from Swaffham Community Hospital and accepts patients from the three GP practices in Swaffham. We also hold clinics at Heacham and Dersingham Surgeries. There are a number of groups of patients who benefit from warfarin therapy, including those with heart valves, recurrent thrombosis, blood disorders or atrial fibrillation (AF) and they all need ongoing monitoring to ensure that dosing is adjusted to maintain the optimum effect and to reduce the risk of adverse events and complications.
The aims of the service are:
- To offer cost effective, standardised and clinically effective monitoring and management of patients undergoing oral anticoagulation therapy in order to ensure that patients have equitable access to a convenient, local community based service, whether through a clinic or domiciliary visits (where appropriate).
- To provide comprehensive and ongoing education of patients so that they better understand their therapy.
- To implement the recommendations of the NPSA and BCSH guidance on anticoagulation management to demonstrate a safe and risk-managed service 3.
Who this Service is for
The Swaffham anti-coagulation service manages stable or uncomplicated patients. Patients should be fully informed of treatment options and the treatment proposed and consent to treatment recorded. Referrals will be accepted of newly diagnosed patients (primarily for Atrial Fibrillation) although it is anticipated that the majority of patients will enter the service by transfer from other providers / settings once reviewed by a Consultant led service and considered to be stable. Eligible patients are those receiving warfarin or other anticoagulant therapy that are not subject to one of the exclusions below:
- Patients with poor control – consistently unstable INR results
- Patients who prefer to continue with hospital care.
LocationThe service is based at Swaffham Community Hospital How to Find UsSources of Referral
Referral Contact Number01760 721363 |
Hours of ServiceThe service operates at the following times:
Clinics are run by appointments but are flexible to meet patient’s needs. |