changing labs...m

[graciebeth]

I had my AVR on the 14th and we are still working on regulating the coumidin dosage.. I have to go back to the lab tomorrow AM for more bloodwork.. My questions is this, so far Ive been going to the lab at the hospital, this requires you to register at the ER, signing papers, verifying address, showing drs orders for labwork, handing over insurance card, waiting in ER til they call you to go to the lab(after they get thru the paperwork at the desk,really the wait isnt long ever, less than 5mins). Then I walk back to the lab,wait there til they are ready and then do the blood thing ..

Just seems as tho there should be a easier way.. It was suggested to me by a friend that I could go to the lab at the medical mall,which is next door to the hospital that the whole process might be faster there..

Is there any way that my changing labs now would interfer at all w/ anything? Im thinking it wouldnt but you never know,its just that when my husband was battling cancer they wantd as many as possible of his CTs to be on the same machine, for comparison sake I suppose.. Is there any reason why I should continue going thru the ER at the hospital instead of switching?

Where do people normally go for this?

hugz-Grace

 

[Ross]

Grace call your Cardiologist and ask them if they can recommend another place for you to go. Is there any place close to you on this list?

Tennessee

Methodist Medical Center Anticoagulation Clinic
Phone: 865-481-1315
990 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

NASHVILLE VAMC
Phone: (615)327-5373
1310 24TH AVENUE SOUTH, NASHVILLE, TN 37212

MUFREESBORO MEDICAL CLINIC ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC
Phone: (615)867-8017
1004 NORTH HIGHLAND, MURFREESBORO, TN 37130

MIDDLE TENNESSEE MEDICAL CENTER
Phone: (615)849-4184
400 NORTH HIGHLAND AVENUE, MURFREESBORO, TN 37129

UPPER CUMBERLAND CARDIOLOGY CONSULTANTS
Phone: (931)372-0405
251 WEST THIRD STREET, SUITE 100, COOKEVILLE, TN 38501

MARCROM'S CLINICAL CARE SERVICES
Phone: (931)728-1100
1277 MCARTHUR STREET, MANCHESTER, TN 37355

WELLMONT-BRISTOL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC
Phone: (423)844-2850
1 MEDICAL PARK BOULEVARD, BRISTOL, TN 37620

JAMES H. QUILLEN VAMC ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC
Phone: (423)926-1171
P.O. BOX 4000, MOUNTAIN HOME, TN 37684

DICKSON MEDICAL ASSOCIATES
Phone: (615)441-4448
113 HIGHWAY 70 EAST, DICKSON, TN 37055

CHATANOOGA HEART INSTITUTE - CARDIOVASCULAR GROUP, PC
Phone: (423)697-2321
2501 CITICO AVENUE, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37404

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE MEDICAL CENTER-ANTICOAGULATION SERVICE
Phone: (423)544-8081
1924 ALCOA HIGHWAY, KNOXVILLE, TN 37920

ACY VAMC
Phone: (615)893-1360
3400 LEBANON ROAD, MURFREESBORO, TN 37129

St. Thomas Anticoagulation Monitoring Service
Phone: 615-222-4711
4230 Harding Rd. Suite G-6 Medical Plaza West, Nashville, TN 37205

VANDERBILT ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC
Phone: (615)343-3096
THE VANDERBILT CLINIC STE 1815, NASHVILLE, TN 37232-5611

PCA Parkway Cardiology Assoc.
Phone: 865-482-4078
80 Vermont Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Methodist Univ. Hospital
Phone: 901-516-8785
1325 Eastmoreland, Suite 101, Memphis, TN 38104

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center Anticoag Center
Phone: 865-541-3671
501 20th St., Knoxville, TN 37916

REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER MEMPHIS - ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC
Phone: (901)545-7285
877 JEFFERSON AVE., MEMPHIS, TN 38103

FORT SANDERS SEVIER M.C. PHARMACY
Phone: (423)429-6588
709 MIDDLE CREEK ROAD, SEVIERVILLE, TN 37862

 

[graciebeth]

Thanks Ross..

Thanks Ross..

Actually none of those are really close enough, Knoxville is only a hr or even less from here,really depends on what part you are going to and the couple of hosptials on that list take the full hour if not more to get there from here..

Im in Athens if that helps any.

I just wonder if Id get faster service at the lab in the medical mall, well its not really that going thru the hospital is SLOW its just that you'd think there'd be a way to avoid all the paperwork EVERY time, especially when the couple times I went 3 days after I had been there and they are asking if Ive moved and if my phone number is the same etc ugh..

yeah I do need to call the surgeons office and just ask them, or maybe the Medical Mall lab and just talk to them.

thanks---Gracie

 

[catwoman]

Gracie:

Perhaps there is a large cardiology practice near you? Many cardio practices have a CoaguChek machine; my former cardiologist is in a practice with 20 cardios & surgeons and has an anticoagulation nurse who runs a Coumadin clinic.

Some family practices have testing machines, too. My family physician also has a CoaguChek machine. An employee runs the test, consults my PCP on what to do. Some of the warfarin patients whose dosage he adjusts are actually patients of his colleagues (3 other doctors in the practice).

 

[Ross]

Just get on the phone and start calling places. I know there is something other then the hospital, but start with your Cardiologist. They may know something they don't talk about.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Be sure to ASK if there is anyplace that uses a FINGERSTICK INR Tester instead of the full lab workup and blood draw.

There are now several companies that make Finger Stick INR Testers. My Coumadin Clinic has one that gives a digital output that can be downloaded to my computerized records. (I forgot the name of the company that makes it.)

Home Testing is another option. Home test machines are made by Protime, INRatio, and hopefully Coaguchek will have their new machine available sometime soon. They have discontinued selling their old machine for home use.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[KristyW]

Handing off

Handing off

Gracie,

It sounds like you are still under the care of your surgeon. He/She will soon hand off your care to either your Cardiologist or your Primary Care Physician. Whichever of those you are handed off to will be responsible for your coumadin management. When that happens, talk with them about what clinic/lab you'll be going to. I know that I had to fight with my insurance company to have my Cardiologist handle my coumadin management. It was worth it though...the cardio handles many patients on anti-coagulants, but my physician only saw a few. AND my cardio had a fingerstick machine instead of having a full venous draw. That is important when you're having a difficult time getting your anti-coag stabilized & they want to test weekly (ouchie on the venous draws!)

Talk with all your doctors. Hopefully, you'll get a good situation going.

 

[ccrawford]

Don't forget to consider self testing. No more paperwork, no sitting in a germ-filled waiting room, etc.

 

[Karlynn]

I would definitely try and find a place that uses a finger stick. (Our hospital lab does primarily finger stick and will do a venous draw if your INR comes up .5 above or below range.)