"Rex by Your Side" - Increased Autonomy and Quality of Life for 200 CHUM
Patients

    
                  Video at www.youtube.com/user/chumontreal
    
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<p><location>MONTREAL</location>, <chron>Oct. 5</chron> /CNW Telbec/ - The "Rex by Your Side" program has enabled 200 patients from the Anticoagulation clinic of the Cardiology ambulatory center at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) to check their coagulation levels on their own, in just a few minutes, using the portable CoaguChek XS system. Now they can enjoy increased autonomy and quality of life.</p>
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<p>Anticoagulation therapy</p>
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<p>Patients receive anticoagulation therapy to reduce blood clotting and prevent the formation of thromboses or embolisms. Such patients must have their blood tested every three or four weeks to ensure their prescriptions are modified if necessary. This test measures prothrombin time and is ordinarily performed at the anticoagulation therapy clinic.</p>
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<p>Autonomy and personal responsibility</p>
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<p>The "Rex by Your Side" program has enabled CHUM's patients to take these tests in the comfort of their own homes, while the clinic continues to monitor their conditions. This program is of benefit to all patients, including those who have trouble getting to the clinic, require the presence of an informal caregiver or simply maintain active professional lives. "Patients who are involved in monitoring their prothrombin time have a better understanding of how this therapy works and the factors affecting it. They are more responsible in dealing with their disorder," said <person>Dr. George Honos</person>, Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Program and Head, Division of Cardiology.</p>
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<p>A promising project</p>
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<p>The "Rex by Your Side" pilot project was set up in the summer of 2009 by CHUM, the Fondation du CHUM and Roche Diagnostics. The project's 200 patients were given a portable CoaguChek XS monitor and the materials required for its use. All patients were selected by CHUM cardiologists based on specific medical criteria and received three hours of training on their medical conditions and on using their portable monitors. After this trial year and based on their cardiologist's recommendations, patients whose experience proves successful will keep the unit.</p>
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    About CHUM: www.chumontreal.qc.ca
    About the Fondation du CHUM: fondationduchum.com
    

For further information: Lucie Dufresne, Communications Advisor, CHUM, [phone], ext. 15380, Pager: [phone]; Source: Nicole Beaulieu, M.A., ARP, Fellow SCRP, Director of Communications, CHUM