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Anticoagulation Services

The UMass Memorial Medical Center Anticoagulation service was established nearly 2 decades ago and currently manages over 1100 patients with thrombotic disorders. Under the direction of Richard Becker, M.D. and Fred Spencer, M.D., the primary objective of the Anticoagulation Clinic is to provide the highest possible level of care for patients through coordinated management strategies, innovative technology, and applied clinical research. PT/INR results are obtained by traditional laboratory blood testing or point-of-care testing performed onsite in a specialized "fingerstick" clinic. Anticoagulant therapy is managed by an experienced team of anticoagulation nurse specialists.

The Anticoagulation Clinic has established protocols for the transition of oral anticoagulation to low molecular weight heparin "bridging therapy" for surgical/ interventional procedures and supports home DVT and self-monitoring programs. Our most recent addition is a Center for Patient Empowering Therapeutics that provides a full range of out-of-hospital services.

Anticoagulation Clinic Hours

  • Point-of-Care "Fingerstick" Clinic Monday-Friday 7:30 am to 11:30 am Wednesday 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Anticoagulation Services offered 24 hours per day and 7 days per week

Referrals to the Anticoagulation Clinic 
Referrals are accepted with a completed form and 24-hour notice to the clinic staff. Patients should be re-referred following hospital admissions.

Patient and Family Education 
Teaching sessions are scheduled during clinic hours and offered to all new patients and interested family members. Educational materials are provided to all patients.

Indigent Programs 
An indigent program has been developed to provide Coumadin® (warfarin) and Lovenox® (enoxaparin).

Ongoing Clinical Trials

  • PREVENT - (Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism)
  • PREVENT will determine whether long-term, low-dose warfarin will prevent the recurrence of DVT and PE in patients previously treated for venous thromboembolism. PREVENT will also evaluate the prevention of recurrent DVT and PE in patients with factor V Leiden - an inherited genetic defect that predisposes to venous thromboembolism.
  • Lifescan Home Monitoring Trial - Patients are trained to use a point-of-care coagulation monitoring device that can be used in the home setting. The INR results are correlated with an "onsite" INR determination.