Saint Francis Hospital Named Anticoagulation Center of Excellence

Saint Francis Hospital's Anticoagulation Service has been named an Anticoagulation Center of Excellence for the third time.

“We are proud to have once again been recognized as an Anticoagulation Center of Excellence following a reassessment by the Anticoagulation Forum,” said Ariana Masi-Karpuc, Regional Manager, Ambulatory Pharmacy, Trinity Health Of New England. “The Anticoagulation Service at Saint Francis is dedicated to actively participating in all aspects of patient care, knowing that working closely together with our patients is the best way to improve health outcomes.”

The ACE program provides comprehensive access to evidence-based guidelines, best practices, and tools and information that enable clinicians to provide the highest level of patient care and enhance treatment outcomes. The program offers a roadmap to consistent, sustainable excellence in five key areas of patient care. By meeting the rigorous standards in each patient care pillar, Saint Francis received a three-year designation as an Anticoagulation Center of Excellence for the third time.

The Anticoagulation Service at Saint Francis manages anticoagulation medication therapies and provides pharmacy consultative expertise on thrombosis treatment and prevention for adult patients. Pharmacists Michelle Byram, RPh, CACP; Karen Gleason, PharmD, CACP, BCACP; Anna Leary, PharmD; and Jillian Searle, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, work collaboratively with hematology, cardiology and primary care providers to manage anticoagulation treatment for patients taking warfarin, heparin, low molecular weight heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants. The team provides peri-procedural management of anticoagulation and works with inpatient teams and emergency department providers to provide smoother and safer transitions of care.

“The Centers of Excellence Assessment and resources provided by the Anticoagulation Forum help us ensure our service continues to meet the evolving standards of excellence, including operational performance, transition of care, knowledge of drug therapy and patient education,” said Michelle Byram, Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacist, Saint Francis Hospital. “We are proud to be one of the few Anticoagulation Center of Excellence programs in Connecticut, which underscores our dedication to the patients and community we serve.”

The Anticoagulation Forum is a multidisciplinary, non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of care for patients taking antithrombotic medications. The Anticoagulation Forum promotes the clinical application of evidence-based practices and provides education and networking opportunities for health care professionals. Visit the ACE program website to learn more.