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Laboratory: Q: How long do I need to fast for my blood work? A: 12 hours. Q: How early can I come in to get my lab drawn? A: We are open Q: Do I need to make an appointment for labs? A: Appointments are not necessary for labs. Q: Do I take my meds in the morning if I am having blood drawn? A: Please consult your physician on this matter. Q: Do I need to be fasting for a lab? A: Please check with the nurse or doctor who ordered your test. Q: How do I interpret my lab results? Why did the doctor order this test for me? A: Please visit www.labtestonline.org or contact your physician. General: Q: How soon will I be notified of my test results? A: Please allow 5-7 working days. Your test results will be dictated by the specialist and time needs to be allowed for the transcriptionist to type the results and then mail or fax the results to your family doctor. Q: Will the specialist notify me of his findings or will he contact my doctor? A: You will be notified by your family doctor. If it has been longer than 7 business days since your test, please call your family doctor not the specialist to check on your results. Since your family doctor referred you to the specialist, your family doctor must notify you of your results. Q: Will I need a driver after I’m finished with this procedure? A: Any procedure requiring a sedative will require you to have someone with you. It is often comforting to know a friend or family member is waiting in the lobby for you no matter what procedure you are having done. Q: If I have to have a sedative, how long will it take to wear off? A: Everyone is unique; so, the length of time it takes for a sedative to wear off will depend on the patient, the amount of sedative and the length of time elapsed since the sedative was given. Patients will want to discuss this question with their providers before the procedure. Clinic: Q: What do I do if I need a doctor's help to fill out paperwork? A: Please make an appointment. The doctor can discuss issues and will set time aside to work on it. Q: If I'm seen at a satellite clinic, can I call the Ellsworth Clinic to get medication refills? A: Yes, however because the Ellsworth Clinic does not have a chart on you, the refill could take longer. Remember to plan ahead and call your pharmacists for your refills so they contact the appropriate clinic. Full service laboratory and X-Ray department: Q: What care do you provide a person with diabetes? A: Care by the two family practice physicians and one physician specializing in internal medicine, two physician assistant, and one nurse practitioner based out of Ellsworth County Medical Center, but also is available at satellite clinics at Wilson, Holyrood, and Lucas. During April of 2007, the Rural Health Clinic received its third grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Education for their participation in the Kansas Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. All clinics have staff contributing to a Diabetic Team that meets to plan events promoting continued education for the clinic staff about diabetes care and medications, develops standards of care for the diabetic patient cared for at the clinics, and plans public educational offerings to the public. Rural Health Clinic providers and nursing staff are able to generate an individualized computer at Diabetic Care Appointments that include height, weight, BP, lab values, and recommendations for management of the care for the person with diabetes. This tool was designed to help the patient partner in their care by monitoring their health status. Diabetes counseling can be ordered by the providers with a nurse providing individualized sessions regarding diabetes care. Discussions often focus on learning to use glucometers and monitoring blood sugar readings, meal planning, getting the most out of medications, planning daily exercise, and sick day care. |