1. X-rays, MRI’s, CT’s and Ultrasounds:
We offer digital X-Ray and MRI imaging services at our office. Please inform us if you’ve had imaging done (i.e. X-Ray, MRI, CT, etc.) at other locations prior to your appointment. We are able to review imaging studies done at Skagit Regional Hospital, Island Health and Rayus (formally CDI), Mt Baker Imaging, Bellingham Advanced Medical Imaging, PeaceHealth, Whidbey General Hospital, North Cascade Family Physicians, The Everett Clinic, University of Washington Medical Center, Providence, Swedish and Virginia Mason online in our office. If you had imaging studies done at other facilities not listed here, please bring those with you on a computer disc or other electronic format.
2. Medication Refills:
Please monitor your medications. We require 48-72 hours, or 2-3 business days to process refills.
For non-narcotic medication refills please contact your pharmacy to obtain a refill. Your pharmacy will send us a prescription refill request.
For narcotic and pain medication refill requests, please contact our office before you run out. Most pain medications require a written prescription that must be picked up at our office. Please note that we do not refill prescriptions after hours, on weekends, or holidays, so please plan accordingly. Our office follows CDC, AAOS, and Washington State Healthcare Authority guidelines, to closely manage our patients use of prescription narcotic medications.
3. Emergency Re-schedule:
Our physicians are often called to the hospital or emergency room for critically injured patients. We regret the need to re-schedule patients, but emergency surgeries are part of an Orthopedic Surgeon’s daily schedule. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility!
4. Telephone Calls:
We endeavor to return all phone calls in a prompt, efficient manner. To ensure that the patients being seen in the clinic get the complete attention from our nursing staff and providers, phone calls will be returned as soon as we are able. Please allow at least 1 business day for return calls about non-urgent issues.
5. Emergency Calls:
During regular office hours, an emergency call will be handled immediately. In the event of an emergency that occurs when our office is closed, our answering service will contact the physician on call to assist you.
6. Independent Medical Exams (IMEs):
Our providers do not perform Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs), nor do they provide disability or impairment ratings.
7. Durable Medical Equipment (knee, ankle, wrist braces, etc.):
We offer DME in-house! If you are need of DME, our doctors will prescribe one of our braces and you will be fitted by one of our DME-trained specialists. You can also be scheduled with one of our Physical Therapists who will train you how to use your DME. You are not obligated or required to obtain a DME product through us, but we do encourage you to go through a trained and certified DME professional to find the most appropriate and well-fitted DME product, to ensure you are properly supported and heal properly. Yes, you can probably find DME items cheaper “on Amazon” but you’ll have no guarantee that you’re getting the correct product for your need, or that it will fit you properly. Shop wisely!