Picture of Allison Sadler, MT(ASCP), hospital Lab Manager, Chastity Walker, Phlebotomist and Marshall Browning Hospital CEO, Edwin Gast.

Marshall Browning Hospital's New Coumadin Clinic Selected for National Convention Presentation

Du Quoin, Illinois - October 10, 2013 - Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin was recently selected by the ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathologists) to present a "Lab Practice" poster at the National Convention on September 20, 2013. Allison Sadler, MT(ASCP), hospital Lab Manager, traveled to Chicago on September 19 along with Chastity Walker, Phlebotomist and Marshall Browning Hospital CEO, Edwin Gast.

The poster was an illustration of an Abstract submitted to the ASCP in June of this year summarizing the success of the recently established Anticoagulation Clinic at Marshall Browning Hospital. The clinic was established in the fall of 2012 as a result of an ICAHN (Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network) grant. The successful operation of this clinic has been due to the cooperative efforts of Alan Morris, RPh, hospital Director of Pharmacy, and the Lab in assisting patients with the control of their anticoagulation therapy, specifically Coumadin™ (generic: Warfarin).

The Coumadin™ Clinic is offered every Wednesday in the Specialty Clinic area of the hospital. The clinic has been so successful that they now have a waiting list for patients to begin the clinic. Diana Reidelberger was one of the first patients treated in the clinic. She commented "I was on many medications per day and have been on Coumadin™ for 30 years. Before the Coumadin™ Clinic, my numbers were all over - either too high or too low. But since the clinic, my numbers have become steady. What is nice is having the one-on-one care with Alan Morris (pharmacist) and Allison Sadler (lab manager) and they are always just a phone call away if I have a question. This is the best thing that has happened to Marshall Browning Hospital." Patients are given education and dietary instruction and know their results and dosage for the week following each appointment.

The Coumadin™ Clinic process is as follows: each patient's physician signs a collaborative agreement for clinic participation. All patients are initially tested by an ASCP phlebotomist performing the blood draw to monitor the effectiveness of the anticoagulant medication. Patient medications are reviewed for drug interactions with Coumadin™ therapy by a Registered Pharmacist. INR values and anticoagulant dosage adjustments are reviewed and documented on all subsequent visits. Copies of all reports are sent to the patient's physician.

Allison Sadler, added "Patient interaction and education from this clinic has resulted in "steady state" anticoagulant therapy with consistent INR values as evidenced by resolution of diagnosis and patient improvement."

For more information on the Coumadin™ Clinic or for a brochure, you may call 618-542-1045.