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Patients are seen for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, inhalant allergies and food reactions, hay fever, chronic ear and sinus problems, immune disorders and recurrent infections, occupational and environmental reactions, eczema and hives.
Evaluation
The following is a description of an initial evaluation and the procedures that may be done. Please allow 2-2.5 hours for the initial visit. Please make sure to stop antihistamines and some other drugs in advance of the visit (see "Important Reminders" in your registration packet).
The initial visit consists of a comprehensive evaluation to obtain information that may include:
- Medical, family and environmental history:
- A history of your current problems, previous treatments and complications
- A review of your family history
- A review of your environment (home,
school, and work situations) to identify factors that may affect
your problem
- Physicial evaluations:
- Examination of pertinent body systems, with an emphasis on the respiratory system and skin
- Audiogram (tests for hearing loss), if needed
- Tympanogram (measures pressure/fluid behind the eardrums), if needed
- Pulmonary Function Tests (checks lung functions), if needed
- Nasal Smear (to check for allergy cells
in nasal secretions)
- Skin tests may be done for inhalant allergens, food, and drugs as suggested by your history and by the examination.
- Additional diagnostic tests may be ordered
as necessary (sinus x-ray, blood tests, referral for CT scan or
chest x-ray).
At the end of your initial visit, your doctor will provide you with preliminary information about your diagnosis and suggest a treatment program. However, the evaluation is not complete until all the test results have been reviewed and after you have had a chance to try out the recommended treatment program. Follow up care is usually recommended.
Follow Up Care
Your problems may require regular visits for follow up care. The frequency of visits can vary from 1-4 office visits per year. A minimum of a yearly recheck is recommended to evaluate any changes in the course of your disease, or treatment, and to renew medications. Authorization for prescription medications are valid for only 1 year by Washington State Law.
Questions or Concerns
Questions may be addressed through a phone call to our triage staff. They will gather information and check with the providers for recommendations.
Urgent problems, emergency care
If you have an urgent problem, we can arrange to see you on short notice during our regular hours. We also have Saturday morning hours in Seattle available. If you have an urgent problem after hours, you should call the main office number: (206) 527-1200 or 1-800-437-4055. A physician is always available on call to respond to your urgent problems.
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