What to expect
To assure time for a comprehensive evaluation, please allow three to four hours for your initial visit.
Check-in: You will need to complete a questionnaire and forms to bring to your new patient visit. The information you provide will help us in our assessment of your health.
Vital signs: A nurse will call you from the waiting room to take your blood pressure, pulse and peak flow. From here, you will be escorted into the exam room.
Exam: Our nurse and doctors will review the information you provided and ask you additional questions about your health and medications. You will meet your asthma team, a team of physicians, physician assistant and nurse assigned specifically to help you with your asthma. Based upon your history and exam, the appropriate tests will be recommended. The nurse coordinator will explain these tests and give you written information.
Testing
- Skin testing
- Exhaled nitric oxide testing
- Pulmonary function tests
- CT scans and x-rays
- Endoscopic tests
- Stress test for exercise induced asthma
- Oral and inhalation challenges: methacholine and antigen-specific
- Impulse oscillometry of the upper and lower airway
Patients will receive spirometry at their initial visit. Skin testing may be performed and will take approximately one hour. This consists of placing proteins on the skin to test sensitivity and determine if your asthma is due to an allergen. Spirometry will take approximately 20 minutes and will involve exhaling into a machine to record lung function. This is done twice, once before medication is administered and once after. This test measures airflow and severity of asthma and helps diagnose any underlying lung problems.
CT scans, X-rays, endoscopic tests, stress test for exercise induced asthma, oral and inhalation challenges, exhaled nitric oxide testing and impulse oscillometry are conducted based on your specific needs.
Test results: Once testing is completed, you will meet with your doctor and the nurse coordinator to go over your results. Based on this information, they will be able to recommend a course of treatment and answer any questions you may have. They will also discuss asthma education and give you some suggestions on asthma management.
Next steps: At checkout you will be able to take care of your account. You will also schedule your follow up visit for the next two to four weeks to evaluate your progress.
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Preparing for your visit
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Please bring completed history forms and questionnaire to your new patient appointment. This includes a complete list of current medications and contact information for the referring physician.
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Please bring any previous records of sinus X-rays or CT scans.
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If possible, stop taking antihistamines five days before your visit. This helps assure accurate allergy testing.
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If possible, stop using asthma inhalers eight hours before your visit. This helps assure accurate pulmonary testing.
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Stop smoking six hours prior to your visit.
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