A medical technologist provides our laboratory services.
Our drop-in laboratory hours are 8:30am to noon and 1:30pm to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Although we make every effotr to keep waiting periods to a minimum, you occasionally may experience a short delay while awaiting your turn for laboratory services.
Our phsyicians ask that you periodically supply blood and urine samples for testing so they can monitor your progress, screen for abnormalities, and ensure that you are not having adverse side effects from prescribed medication. The frequency of these tests will vary from patient to patient and may change during the course of treatment.
If your doctor decides that your laboratory results are not within the expected range, you will be called or sent a notification about further action, such as a change in medications.
We ask that you do not call for routine lab results unless your physician has asked that you do so, or there are other situations that require that you get results.
Some tests are not performed in our laboratory, but are handled by an outside firm that offers prompt, daily service. Patients enrolled in some insurance plans may receive billings directly from the laboratory service. It is your responsibility to know if your insurance company will cover lab tests run in our lab or if a specific other lab must be used.
When your doctor requests laboratory tests, please take your charge slip and the name of your insurance company -Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield- to the laboratory with you. At that time you will be given supplies and instructions for collecting a clean-catch midstream urine specimen. After collecting the specimen, cover it and take it to the laboratory. Blood will then be drawn for further tests.
If you have any questions about your tests, do not hesitate to mention them to your doctor. You can write the questions down and take them to your next scheduled appointment, or you can call the office for help.
Rheumatology, PC also offers x-ray services through the assistance of a registered radiologic technologist.
As we take x-rays for several physicians, there may be times when you will have brief waits.
Our state-of-the-art equipment, which is calibrated and checked regularly, enable us to keep x-ray exposure at a much lower level than was possible even a few years ago.
Sometimes several views of joints are needed for accurate evaluation. The doctor will be looking for such problems as soft tissue swelling and calcification, space narrowing, reactive bone formation, malalignment or the rate of joint changes. Although the number of x-rays may seem extensive, our experienced technologist keeps radiation exposure and the need for retakes to a minimum.
If you are of childbearing age, lead shielding is used to protect you. It is wise to notify the doctor and technologist before examination if you think you may be pregnant.
| Q: | Why does the doctor want me to have a chest X-Ray? |
| A: | Chest x-rays are important for arthritis patients because there may be an underlying disease of the chest causing the arthritis and because arthritis can cause lung involvement. |
| Q: | Why do I need x-rays of both sides when only one side is hurting? |
| A: | Arthritis generally develops symmetrically. Although only one side may hurt, early signs of the disease may be present on the other side. |
| Q: | Why do I need more x-rays when I'm feeling okay? |
| A: | Although arthritis is a progressive disease, at times medication will mask progression of the disease. The patient may feel fie even though bone destrcution is occurring. By monitoring the diseases's progress, your physician can adjust therapy. |