Tag Archive for: patient checklist

The Complete Checklist For First-Time Pulmonary And Sleep Patients

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So, you’ve finally taken the plunge and booked an appointment with a pulmonologist! We’re honored to have been your choice for care. Pulmonary Associates of Brandon/Florida Sleep Disorder Center specializes in pulmonary diseases, critical care medicine, and sleep medicine. Our goal is to provide you with exceptional medical care and superior medical service.

If you are a first-time patient at our clinic, you’ll want to make sure that you arrive prepared for your appointment in order to help ensure you have the best visit possible. To get you there, we’ve put together a list of some things you should bring, as well as some other helpful appointment tips:

  • Please print and fill out the New Patient Form prior to your first appointment. Bring in the completed form on the day of your appointment. All patients must fill out pages 2-5; pulmonary patients must also complete page 6 and sleep patients must complete 7-8. If you are both a pulmonary and sleep patient, complete the entire packet.
  • Please bring any recent chest x-rays or other imaging test results to our office. If they are not available to you by flash drive or disk, you can ask that they are sent to our office prior to your appointment.
  • Please bring in a list of all current medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter. Be sure to include the dose and frequency in which you take each.
  • Please bring your insurance card(s) and a photo identification. We are required to verify the identity and insurance eligibility of all of our patients. We are also required to collect any co-payments and/or deductibles at the time services are provided.
  • Bring cash, check or credit card for your co-payment or deductible
  • Write down your questions or issues that you would like to cover with the doctor during your visit so you won’t forget to ask. If questions arise that must be answered before your appointment, be sure to call us at (813) 681-4413. We are available Monday through Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm in the office and through our answering service after hours.
  • Most importantly: bring yourself!

More Information

Make sure to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. If you cannot fill out the new patient form before your appointment, no problem! Just be sure to arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to fill it at our office. To make the most of your visit, check out these tips from the National Institutes of Health article “Straight Talk for Good Health”. To book an appointment, give us a call today, or click here to book online.

9 Questions To Ask Your Pulmonologist At Your First Appointment After An Abnormal Chest Scan

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Receiving the notice that your chest scan came back a little abnormal is worrying to say the least. Your pulmonologist will probably want you to return for another appointment to speak with you about the results and perhaps order further tests.

While this can be very off-putting, it is also the right moment to ask any questions you have about your symptoms and your concerns. By arming yourself with the best possible arsenal to obtain information, you will be better equipped to handle any diagnosis. Here are some questions to ask your doctor during your visit.

  1. Can you explain the test that was run? Each test is used to diagnose different conditions, and learning about the test(s) that were conducted will help you to better understand what your doctor was looking for and how and/or why your chest scan was abnormal.
  2. What makes my scan “abnormal”? This may seem like something you don’t even need to ask, but it’s important to know exactly what your scan is showing, why it varies from the norm, and to what degree it’s considered abnormal.
  3. What can the abnormality mean? Be ready to ask your pulmonary physician about the possible diagnosis of your abnormal chest scan. It is likely that your pulmonary physician isn’t sure what the abnormality means without further testing, but knowing everything it could point at will prepare you for the final diagnosis.
  4. Will I need further testing? If so, what tests can I expect and how do they work? Usually, if an initial chest scan shows an abnormality your pulmonary physician will assign you further testing to determine whether the abnormality is malignant or benign. These tests can vary, and knowing what they are and how they work will help you get through them with more confidence.
  5. How often should I be screened for changes? This is an important question to ask regarding the maintenance for your pulmonary health. Even a positive diagnosis on abnormalities should be followed up on in case it starts to become malignant later down the line.
  6. Are you prescribing me anything for the symptoms? It’s important to understand any medications you will be prescribed as well as any side effects of the medication.
  7. Are there things I can do to manage my condition? Ask what types of habits and activities you can do on your own time to keep your pulmonary health under control or even lessen some of your symptoms.
  8. Should I follow any dietary/lifestyle restrictions? Be sure to ask and understand if there are any restrictions or changes you should make to your current regimen. Some doctors may choose to wait on further tests and simply test you again in a few months to see if your abnormality has changed or grown. In the meantime, they may recommend some lifestyle changes or impose restrictions on your diet and/or activity.
  9. What should I do if my symptoms increase? Ask your doctor when to contact them if symptoms worsen to avoid an unnecessary trip to the ER.

Preparing for your first appointment after being notified of an abnormal chest scan can be very nerve-wracking and tense. By asking the right questions and educating yourself on your diagnosis, you will be better able to maintain your pulmonary health and suppress your symptoms. Be sure to write down these questions and bring them with you so you don’t forget to ask anything!