If the requesting physician is asking for a transfer of the complete care of the patient, then the visit should be coded as a new patient visit and not a consultation. “Complete” care is defined as the total care of the patient.

Before you see the doctor, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire that details your current reason for a visit, past medical and surgical history, medications, and as well as other questions about your health history. Patients with pelvic floor disorders (such as bowel and or bladder control problems) will be asked to complete other additional questionnaires to identify pelvic health issues and determine the impact of these disorders on quality of life.

AMA’s definition of a new patient is one who has not received any professional services from the physician, or another physician of the same specialty who belongs to the same group with in the past three years. On the flip side, an established patient is one who has received professional services from the physician, or another physician who belongs to the same group practice within the past three years.

Yes. You may save time by downloading the Patient Information Form before you visit us for the first time. Fill it out and bring it with you to your first appointment.

Asynchronous or store and forward consultation involves the exchange of clinical information and static images collected and stored in the telecommunication equipment. The dental practitioner collects all the required clinical information and digital intraoral and extraoral images and radiographs (or scanned, originally nondigital images) and forwards them for consultation and treatment planning via established networks and/or the Internet. E-mail is an example of asynchronous communication.

In a teledentistry consultation, the patient’s general dental practitioner consults with a dental specialist at a distant site, but the care of the patient remains the responsibility of the patient’s general dental practitioner. The patient may or may not be present in real time for the consult. A teledentistry encounter is defined as a telehealth event involving patient contact.

If you have a condition of the anus or rectum, the doctor may need to look in this area with a small scope. Our clinical assistant will give you instructions on the necessary bowel prep.

If you rely heavily on the opinion of others before making treatment commitments, you are encouraged to bring all the decision makers with you to this consultation. They can be taking notes while you listen or act as a sounding board. Your orthodontist doesn't want information lost in translation if decision maker does not come and you have to relay the consultation outcome to them.

Usually atherosclerosis is the cause of the problem. Atherosclerosis is hardening of the arteries which is caused by five major risk factors which include: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and your family tendencies toward development of atherosclerosis, meaning genetics. Each of these factors can be controlled, except for the genetic problem.

Intensive Care Unit visiting periods are limited to short stays between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Only family members or a member of the clergy may visit the Intensive Care Unit patient.

Yes! Simply click on the "Patient Forms" icon at the top of this page, and download the appropriate printable forms you need. If you don't have acrobat reader, you can also download the instant software on that page as well. Then, just fill out the forms prior to your visit and bring them with you for discussion. Stephen L. Bass, DDS, MS, and Ellen Hall, DDS, MS.

Consultation using multiple methods has been a part of the Cal Poly Plan from the beginning. During previous phases of the Plan, students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, business and industry leaders and members of the community have been surveyed, consulted and involved in open forums and focus groups. The consultation now taking place regarding the College-Based Academic Fee Proposal is also broad-based, but even more focused on student input.