Office
Visits:
An office visit is a standard appointment in our
office. These appointments are scheduled for patients who need to see the doctor for a specific problem or for recommended
follow-up of chronic medical conditions. Most patients with ongoing medical problems need to be seen regularly. We recommend
that when you are finished with your visit, you schedule your next appointment so that we may call to remind you. Appointments
typically last 10-30 minutes.
Lab Tests
In the Providence Park office building, there is a
full-service laboratory, which is able to provide
comprehensive studies on blood work. This testing is
often used to diagnose and monitor specific medical
conditions and to provide screening for a wide range
of illnesses. Click here to view an explanation of
common laboratory tests.
Patient Preparation
Lab testing for physical exams is usually done fasting. Fasting requires you to not have any food or drink for 12 hours before blood is drawn. Drinking water, black coffee, or plain tea are exceptions and will not alter the results. If you typically take morning medications, which do not need to be taken with food, these should be taken as well. Elderly patients and patients with diabetes should only fast if they have an early morning appointment. Please report to the laboratory and bring your physician’s order with you on the day of your test. Also, be sure to have your insurance card and referral form (if necessary) with you. Results are usually available within 7-10 days.
Physical Exams
A physical exam is a comprehensive
evaluation of your general health. It is designed to
determine the current status of your health and
identify any potential problems or risks to your
future health. A physical exam involves a total body
examination, fasting blood work, and various
diagnostic tests including those recommended by the
American Cancer Society, such as annual breast exams,
mammograms, pelvic exams and pap smears, digital
rectal exams and prostate exams, and colon cancer
screening. A physical exam appointment typically lasts
30-45 minutes and results are available within 7 to 10
days
EKG
The EKG is a test often used as part of an
assessment of the heart. Electrical activity of the
heart is recorded and a tracing is generated which
gives information on the heart rhythm and can be
helpful in identifying several cardiac disorders.
What to Expect
The test usually takes a few minutes and involves
adhesive leads which are placed onto the skin of the
chest, abdomen, and ankles.
Preoperative Evaluations
Before scheduling a surgery, your
surgeon may recommend a pre-operative evaluation to
determine your general fitness for surgery. A
comprehensive examination, EKG, and often lab tests
are part of the evaluation. Depending on results of
the initial preoperative visit, further testing may
be necessary. To allow for adequate time to perform
our evaluation, it is important to schedule your
pre-op visit as soon as your surgery is scheduled.
Upon completion, a written summary will be forwarded
to your surgical team.
Immunizations /
Medication Injections
Our medical staff is available to provide in-office
injections for a variety of medications, including
B12, and immunizations. Immunizations are shots
which are given to prevent diseases such as
influenza (flu), pneumonia, hepatitis, tetanus, etc.
These shots may be given as part of an office visit
with your physician or as a separate visit with the
nurse. It is important to discuss with your
physician if these injections are recommended for
you.
Allergy Injections
Patients who are receiving regular allergy
injections can make arrangements to have their
injections given through our office. We work in
conjunction with your allergist who supplies the
serum and the schedule of injections. It is
necessary that patients remain in our office for
twenty minutes following their injection and have
their injection site examined prior to leaving the
office. This allows us to monitor and treat the
patient for any complications or reactions and
identify any potential problems with the regimen.
Pulmonary Function Testing
This simple in-office test is done to
assess a patient’s lung function. It is used to
identify the cause of breathing difficulties, monitor
the condition of chronic lung disease, monitor the
effects of smoking on the lungs, and diagnose several
lung ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, and
emphysema. It can also be a useful tool in evaluating
a patient’s respiratory status prior to surgery.
What to Expect
A patient blows forcefully into a
plastic tube connected to a small computer which
monitors the flow of air and develops a set of data
to compare the patient’s lung function to an
age-matched normal individual. We recommend three
“tries” to confirm accuracy in the data which is
obtained. The test is the exam room under the
direction of one of our medical staff.
Patient Preparation
No prior preparation is required.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound
designed to assess the function of your heart. It is
used to determine the cause of a heart murmur,
evaluated the function of the valves in the heart, and
to determine the motion and strength of the heart
muscle.
What to Expect
This test is similar to an ultrasound
where a probe is guided over a conducting jelly over
the surface of the chest to take images of the heart
using sound waves. The test is done while lying on
your back on a standard exam table and does not
involve any injections or contrast dye. It is
performed by a certified echo technician and the
study is reviewed by a Board-Certified cardiologist.
The test takes approximately 30 minutes. Results are
usually available from your physician within 7 days.
Patient Preparation
No prior preparation is required.
Holter Monitor (24-hour EKG)
This test provides a 24-hour recording of the rhythm
of your heart. It is useful in evaluating the cause of
palpitations, racing heart beat, dizziness and passing
out, chest pain, monitoring the status of electrical
abnormalities, and determining the need for a
pacemaker.
What to Expect
Wire leads are taped to the skin of
the chest and arms, and the electrodes are connected
to a small digital recorder worn on a belt or on a
neck/shoulder strap. While wearing this monitor, the
patient is expected to keep a log of all activities
and symptoms. No restrictions in activity are
required, except those involving water such as
showering or swimming. If any symptoms occur, the
patient is expected to press a button on the
recorder which marks the location of the potential
rhythm abnormality. This monitor is usually worn for
24-hours and returned to the office the next day.
The data obtained from the monitor are fed into a
computer for analysis. Your physician will
personally review the results which are available in
3-5 days.
Patient Preparation
Plan to wear a blouse or shirt that buttons in the
front. Approximate time to hook up the monitor is
15-20 minutes
Bone Mineral Density (DEXA)
Bone mineral density or DEXA scan
testing is a painless, noninvasive and safe way to
measure the bone density in your spine and hip, the
most common site of fractures due to osteoporosis.
Your bone density is compared to two standards known
as “age matched” and “young normal”. The age-matched
reading compares your bone density to what is expected
in someone of your age, sex, and size. The young
normal reading compares your density to the optimal
peak bone density of a healthy young adult of the same
sex. The information from a bone density test allows
your doctor to identify where you stand within ranges
of normal and to determine whether you are at risk for
fracture. The DEXA scan allows your physician to
initiate treatments to significantly decrease the risk
of future fracture.
What to Expect
After filling out a brief
informational questionnaire, you will be asked to
lie on your back on an open exam table. If you have
any clothing that has any metal around the waist
area, you will be asked to change into a gown. The
technologist will position you for scans of your
lower spine and your hip. A scan arm, which will not
come in contact with your body, will move over the
top of your body to generate scan images on a
computer. The scanning process may need to be halted
to reposition you on the table if the images are not
correct. The test does not involve any injections or
contrast dye. The exam will last approximately 20
minutes. The results will be available within seven
days.
Patient Preparation
No prior preparation is required.
Joint Procedures
Aspiration is a useful method of
removing fluid from a joint to analyze the fluid for
infection, arthritis, and gout. Removing fluid can
also be used to relieve the discomfort of joint
swelling from various conditions. Injection of
medication into or around a joint can relieve the
inflammation of joint disease and is a method of
treating common forms of bursitis and tendonitis.
What to Expect
The joint is prepared by cleaning the
skin with an iodine solution (or alternative if
allergic) to prevent infection. The area is then
treated with a local anesthetic to reduce the
discomfort of the procedure. When adequately
anesthetized, a needle is inserted into the joint or
surrounding area and fluid is removed. Medication,
such as a steroid, can then be injected into the
area. After the procedure, a small dressing is
applied. No aftercare is usually required by the
patient.
Patient Preparation
No prior preparation is required.
Ear
Cleaning
Our physicians and medical staff are
able to remove clogged and impacted ear wax from the
ear canals. Impacted ear wax is a common cause of
decreased hearing and pressure in the ears. Clogging
of ear wax often occurs as a result of long-term
hearing aid use.
What to Expect
Warm water is injected into the ear
canal which forces wax from the ears. Occasionally,
wax dissolving drops may be placed into the ear
canal to assist in the removal.
Patient Preparation
No prior preparation is required.
Dermatologic Procedures
Our physicians are trained to perform
procedures for diagnosis and treatment of various skin
conditions. Common procedures include cryosurgery for
warts and actinic keratosis (precancerous sun damage),
removal of skin tags, incision and drainage of
abscesses and cysts, and biopsy of moles and other
lesions.
What to Expect
Each procedure is performed in the
exam room and is done under sterile conditions.
Every effort is taken to limit the amount of
discomfort felt during the procedure, including the
use of local anesthetics. Depending on what was
done, a dressing may be applied to the site, and
some care may be required by the patient for a few
days after the procedure.
Patient Preparation
No prior preparation is required.
Carotid Artery Ultrasound
A carotid ultrasound is a test
designed to evaluate the blood flow of the arteries
of the neck which supply blood to the brain. The
ultrasound can take pictures of the arteries,
determine if there is any cholesterol buildup, and
determine the strength of the blood flow. Any
abnormalities found can be treated by your doctor to
prevent TIA’s and stroke.
What to Expect
This test is similar to an ultrasound where a probe
is guided over a conducting jelly over the surface
of the neck to take images of the arteries using
sound waves. The test is done while lying on your
back on a standard exam table and does not involve
any injections or contrast dye. It is performed by a
certified vascular technician and the study is
reviewed by a Board-Certified cardiologist. The test
takes approximately 15 minutes. Results are usually
available from your physician within 7 days.
Patient Preparation
No prior preparation is required.
Peripheral Vascular Testing
An ABI test is designed to evaluate the flow of
blood in the arteries of the arms and legs.
Blockages in these arteries can cause heaviness and
pain in your extremities, lack of exercise
endurance, skin ulcers, poor healing, and can be a
signal of blockages in the arteries that can cause
heart attacks and strokes.
What to Expect
This test involves measuring blood pressures using
cuffs placed on both arms and legs as well as taking
Doppler measurements using a Doppler probe similar
to that used during an ultrasound. The test is done
while lying on your back on a standard exam table
and does not involve any injections or contrast dye.
It is performed by a certified vascular technician
and the study is reviewed by a Board-Certified
cardiologist. The test takes approximately 20
minutes. Results are usually available from your
physician within 7 days.
Patient Preparation
No prior preparation is required.
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