JOPLIN, Mo. – Officials at Mercy Hospital today celebrated their one-hundredth watchman implant.

Mercy employees say that a watchman’s purpose is to treat Atrial Fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem. It can also be used as an alternative to blood thinners.

“I had the Watchman installed on June 1st. I feel great, I am very happy to have been able to have Dr. Poe. The team here is just fantastic, they work together and they know what each other is doing and I think that’s so important to have good outcomes.” Said Velma Quinn, recipient of Mercy’s 100th watchman.

Officials say the watchman is about the size of a quarter and takes roughly one hour to implant.

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