Warfarin Clinic

Sharp offers warfarin management to total joint replacement patients.

 Mark Pugeda

For patients who undergo total hip replacement or total knee replacement surgery, Sharp HealthCare’s highly skilled pharmacy staff provides a four-week warfarin management program.

Because total joint replacement patients are at high risk for developing blood clots, it is important for them to receive a “blood-thinning” medication after surgery. In most cases, physicians recommend Coumadin® or its generic equivalent, warfarin. However, because the body is very sensitive to warfarin — even a small change in dosing can have a dramatic effect on the “thickness” of the blood — the medication needs to be monitored very closely.

To help orthopedic surgery patients with warfarin management after they leave the hospital, Sharp’s pharmacy staff tracks each patient’s medication intake and warfarin effects by taking a blood sample. The pharmacist communicates regularly with each patient’s physician and is available around the clock to answer questions.

The warfarin clinic arranges the following:

  • Convenience for total joint replacement patients, who have limited mobility after surgery
    • For hip patients, who have a difficult time getting in and out of the car, a nurse visits the patient at home to collect the blood sample 
    • For knee patients, who must attend physical therapy, the anticoagulation service coordinates blood collection with physical therapy sessions so patients only have to make one stop
  • Most importantly, the pharmacist can educate each patient about warfarin and answer any questions he or she may have about the warfarin therapy; orthopedic patients receive education that is tailored to their needs and preferences
  • Within 12 hours of the blood draw, a pharmacist calls the patient to discuss test results and any adjustments in the warfarin therapy

Started in 1996 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, warfarin clinics are now offered at all Sharp HealthCare hospitals and treat more than 600 patients per year. The program is available to all total knee and hip replacement patients as part of Sharp’s Joint Endeavor program.

Find a San Diego Orthopedic Surgeon
To learn more about orthopedics at Sharp or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for San Diego orthopedic surgeons or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm.

For More Orthopedics Information
To find general information about orthopedics, visit Orthopedic Surgery in Adult Health or read the Orthopedics News archive.