New Patient Information
When time allows, the clinic will send you a packet of information prior to your appointment. It will contain a questionnaire, which need to be completed and mailed back promptly. Complying with this procedure will greatly reduce your processing time upon arrival at the clinic.
Please be aware that the initial patient visit is quite extensive, so come prepared to spend the day. Most necessary tests and procedures are processed at the clinic, but you will have to wait for various test results as well as for your physician to evaluate them. We recommend you bring something to occupy your spare time. You may leave the clinic for lunch or bring a sack lunch to eat in our snack room.
Your allergy/asthma evaluation will begin with a thorough discussion and recording of your medical history. This is a very important part of the evaluation, so please be prepared to discuss past illnesses and/or surgeries as well as medications you take regularly (prescription and over-the-counter), including strength and dosing schedule. Pertinent historical details of your current illness will also be discussed.
Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination with special attention to the head, neck and chest. Laboratory tests such as blood count, x-rays, pulmonary function tests and skin tests will be conducted as indicated.
If skin tests are indicated, one of our specially trained nurses will inject a very small amount of each test material just under the first layer of skin, usually on the upper arms. Each positive skin test (a reaction similar to a mosquito bite) indicates a specific allergy. After all the results are compiled and studied, your allergist will summarize them for you and explain the diagnosis. A proposed treatment and management plan will also be discussed at that time. A written copy of the treatment and management plan prescribed will be provided following your visit or in some cases, mailed to you.
We always attempt to complete your initial evaluation in one day. There are rare instances, however, when a patient must return to the clinic another day.
- Registration
-
Please arrive at the clinic at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to complete appropriate paperwork.
- No Smoking Policy
-
For the health of our patients and employees, smoking is prohibited on clinic premises.
- Perfumes and Colognes
-
Many of the clinic's patients are extremely sensitive to odors. Out of consideration for these patients, please do not wear perfumes, colognes or scented lotions on the day of your visit to the clinic.
- Parking
-
Free patient parking is available at all four clinic locations. At the central office, the entrance gate will raise upon entrance. Upon leaving, you must retrieve an exit token from the reception desk. The exit gate will not open without an exit token.
- Special Medication Instructions
-
Prior to your appointment at the clinic, it is important for you to comply with the following.
- STOP Atarax, Vistaril, Claritin, Clarinex, Allegra, Xyzal and Zyrtec one week prior to your appointment. Check for generic equivalent.
- STOP all antihistamines two days prior to your appointment.
- STOP Astelin, Astepro and Patanase nasal sprays at least 72 hours prior to your appointment.
- CONTINUE ALL OTHER MEDICATIONS ESPECIALLY ASTHMA MEDICATIONS. (Intranasal steroids do not interfere with allergy tests.)
- Please check with your clinic doctor's office at 405-235-0040 if you have any questions about what medications to stop or not stop.
Connect with us:
Facebook Twitter