Saint Francis Hospital Anticoagulation Service Named Center of Excellence

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Saint Francis Hospital’s Anticoagulation Service has been named an Anticoagulation Center of Excellence for the second time by the Anticoagulation Forum. Earning Center of Excellence recognition illustrates the service’s strong commitment to providing the highest level of care to patients taking antithrombotic medications.

“We are very proud to have passed the Anticoagulation Centers of Excellence assessment for a second time,” said Sundhanshu Mulay, M.B.B.S., Medical Director of the Anticoagulation Service. “The Saint Francis Hospital Anticoagulation Service is dedicated to actively participating in all aspects of our patients’ care, since we know working together with our patients is the best way to improve health outcomes.”

The Anticoagulation Centers of Excellence program helps healthcare professionals provide the highest level of care and achieve the best possible outcomes for patients on antithrombotic medications, which slow down or prevent clotting, reducing the risk of thrombosis. In meeting the rigorous standards put forth by the program, Saint Francis Anticoagulation Service will be recognized as a Center of Excellence for three years.

“The assessment and educational resources provided by the Anticoagulation Forum helped us streamline our operational performance, improve transition of care and knowledge of drug therapy, and enhance patient education while learning more about disease state management,” said Amanda Williams, PharmD, BCACP, Manager Ambulatory Care and Retail Pharmacy. “This educational program will have a lasting and profound effect on anticoagulation care for many years to come, and we are proud to be considered an Anticoagulation Center of Excellence.”

The Anticoagulation Service at Saint Francis manages anticoagulation drug therapies and provides consultative expertise on thrombosis treatment and prevention for adult patients. Pharmacists Michelle Byram, RPh, CACP, and Karen Gleason, PharmD, CACP, BCACP, along with Xuanthao Nguyen, APRN, work collaboratively under Dr. Mulay to manage anticoagulation treatment for patients, including those taking warfarin, heparin, low molecular weight heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants. The team provides peri-procedural management of anticoagulation and works collaboratively with inpatient teams to provide smoother and safer transitions of care.

The Anticoagulation Forum is a multidisciplinary, non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of care for patients taking antithrombotic medications. The AC Forum promotes the clinical application of evidence-based practices and provides education and networking opportunities for healthcare professionals. To learn more about the program visit www.acforum-excellence.org.