Anticoagulation Forum Supports Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Awareness Month with a New Recognition Program

“Anticoagulation Centers of Excellence” will launch to improve clinic practices nationwide The Anticoagulation Forum (AC Forum) has embarked on an exciting new project called “Anticoagulation Centers of Excellence.” A Fall 2012 launch is planned for a comprehensive website with an interactive assessment tool that will help to define and encourage the use of the ideal practices for anticoagulation practices. The month of September has been designated by the U.S. Senate as Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, calling attention to this important disease affecting millions of Americans. Anticoagulation medications are known to be effective in reducing AF-related stroke, one of the worst consequences of AF. The Anticoagulation Forum is a vital link to the clinics that help AF patients successfully manage their disease. The AC Forum supports these member clinics with education and resources designed to improve the quality of patient care. “An Anticoagulation Center of Excellence should use best practices and provide comprehensive care to improve patient outcomes,” says David Garcia, M.D., president of the AC Forum. “We are looking for clinics to actively participate in patient care and appropriately use antithrombotic medications to reduce the number of atrial fibrillation related strokes.” By following a self-assessment on the website, clinics learn about the five key conceptual “pillars” that combine to make a Center of Excellence as defined by the Anticoagulation Forum. The website will offer extensive resources including examples of best practices and will allow clinics to gain insight into their performance as compared to evidence-based guidelines. Upon meeting the requirements, clinics are recognized as an Anticoagulation Center of Excellence. Visit https://excellence.acforum.org to sign up for email updates about this exciting endeavor. This program is funded in part, by the following companies: Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Alere Anticoagulation Solutions, ITC (International Technidyne Corporation), and Philips INR@Home Service. About the AC Forum The Anticoagulation Centers of Excellence is a program of the Anticoagulation Forum (AC Forum). The AC Forum is a multidisciplinary nonprofit organization of health care professionals that works to improve the quality of care for patients taking antithrombotic medications by providing education and networking opportunities for health care professionals, promoting the clinical application of evidence-based practices, facilitating research aimed at improving health outcomes, and informing healthcare policy, regulatory agencies, and industry about best practices. Founded in 1991 by Jack Ansell, MD, the organization has grown to over 5,000 members representing over 1,800 anticoagulation clinics throughout the world. Currently led by President David Garcia, MD, the AC Forum continues to be an important source of information and education for its expanding membership. For more information or to schedule an interview with Dr. David Garcia, please call Jacalyn Fallman at 617-454-1005, or e-mail Jacalyn at: jfallman@acforum.org.