A Visit to the ER May NOT Be the Best Option

Chest pain, loss of consciousness, heat stroke, severe bleeding and other serious and life-threatening illnesses always need the fastest and most advanced medical care available.  Without question, that means immediate treatment in an Emergency Room or Urgent Care facility.  But, what about cuts, scrapes, minor bleeding, a fever, ear infection, vomiting or nosebleed?  When these and other    non-extreme emergencies happen, we suggest that you “Call Us First.”

Why Call Us First?

As one of the area’s most-respected primary and specialty physician groups, we offer a number of services to help patients get the care they need, without an unnecessary visit to the ER or Urgent Care.  In doing so, we hope to help patients avoid high ER visit cost, longer wait times, and exposure to more serious illnesses that an ER visit can entail.

The Call Us First effort invites current patients to Call Us First for non-life-threatening emergencies.  Calls will be answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a staff member will help the caller determine if an ER or Urgent Care visit is necessary.  If not, we can schedule a same-day appointment at the nearest PMA office.  The Call Us First program is just one of the ways we fulfill our commitment to exceptional patient care.  To learn more about PMA Medical Specialists and the Call Us First program, visit pmadoctor.com.

Back to School and Sports Physicals Help to Keep our Children Healthy

Annual Physical Exams

Annual physical exams are vitally important for children of all ages, whether it's an annual back-to-school physical or sports exam. A lot can change in a child's health over the course of one year, and an annual physical exam allows a provider to monitor the health and development of your child. 

Annual physicals also ensure that your child is up-to-date with their vaccines which help to protect against various diseases. Completing the various recommended immunization series protects not only your child, but the community as well. 

Sports Physicals

Sports physicals help to prevent many injuries and identify current conditions that might make it unsafe to participate in the planned sports activity.  

Both back-to-school and sports physicals begin with reviewing the family’s health history, followed by the patient’s personal health and immunization history. 

What's included in a Physical?

The actual physical examination typically includes: 

• Examining the Ear, Nose and Throat
• Vision testing
• Height and Weight measurements
• Listening to heart and lungs
• Pulse and Blood Pressure checks
• Checking for abnormalities by examining parts of the body
• Observing range of motion, joint flexibility, spinal alignment and posture
• Testing motor skills, reflexes, coordination and strength
• Hernia check

Be sure to schedule an annual back-to-school physical or sports exam today, so that your child is ready when back-to-school rolls around!     

Healthy Habits Affect Your Blood Pressure

Do you know the signs of high blood pressure?

It’s a trick question — because HBP, also known as the “silent killer,” typically has no symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to check your blood pressure and take steps to control your numbers.

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Check your blood pressure and find out where your numbers fall on the new American Heart Association blood pressure chart — and make changes that matter. 

Adjusting your habits now — like moving more and reducing sodium — can help you avoid a high blood pressure diagnosis and stay strong for the future. And by tracking your BP at home, you’ll be the first to see how your healthy new habits are affecting your numbers.

These health tips are not a substitute for speaking to a qualified health-care provider, talk to your primary care physician or Cardiologist today. Patients Matter Always!

New Blood Pressure Guidelines - 130 Is Too High

Under new American Heart Association guidelines announced in 2017, the definition of high blood pressure is lower, and the number of U.S. adults considered to have high blood pressure has increased. Younger people are impacted the most, as high blood pressure has tripled among men under 45 and doubled among women in the same age group.

Know Your Numbers

High blood pressure is often symptomless and can be a “silent killer” at any age — and the only way to know your risk is to have your blood pressure checked. 

This May, during National High Blood Pressure Education Month, do yourself and your family a favor: 

1. Have your blood pressure checked and review the categories at heart.org/bplevels to  understand what your numbers mean. 
2. Be counted as someone who knows their numbers at heart.org/bplevels. Click on the “I’ve Checked My Blood Pressure” button! 
3. Encourage the people you care about to know their numbers, too.

These health tips are not a substitute for speaking to a qualified health-care provider, talk to your primary care physician or Cardiologist today. Patients Matter Always!

Healthy Habits will help to Keep Your Blood Pressure Low

Even if your numbers are within the normal range on the new American Heart Association blood pressure chart, May is the perfect month to check your blood pressure and give your lifestyle a checkup. Blood pressure naturally rises as you age, so consistency is key in keeping it low. 

We’d like to encourage you to kick-start some healthy habits during National High Blood Pressure Education Month to help keep your BP low.

5 Tips to Help Lower Blood Pressure

• Eat a heart-healthy diet 
• Cut out excess sodium 
• Limit alcohol intake 
• Avoid cigarettes - QUIT NOW 
• Make exercise a regular part of your routine  

These 5 health tips are not a substitute for speaking to a qualified health-care provider, talk to your primary care physician or Cardiologist today. Patients Matter Always!

Home Health Care and Care Management

The Chronic Care Management team assists in building a team-based approach with the Physician, Home Health Agency, Patient and Family. We strongly encourage self-management skills and assist in goal setting to help the patient manage their condition.  

Our Home Health Care goals are to: 

• increase the patient’s quality of life.
• decrease Hospital and Emergency Department visits
• decrease medical expenses

Care Management Services

Care Management team members work very closely with local Home Health Agencies when patients are found to be in need of services. Services include, but are not limited to: Nursing Services, Physical & Occupational Therapy Services, Wound Care Services, Social Work Services, and overall monitoring of health status.

We look at the following criteria when providing patients information on Home Health Agencies to select from:

1. Are they able to keep patients at home versus sending them to a hospital
2. What is the patient spend (cost to the patient)?
3. Are they known for excellent patient quality based on Medicare Star ratings?
4. How are they at communicating with the Chronic Care Management team members and physician’s office?

When do we recommend Home Health Care?

1. After a recent hospitalization, rehab stay
2. Recent medication changes or misunderstanding of medications
3. Overall decline in function
4. Patient assessment finds the need for Home Health Care (some examples are: recurrent falls, dementia/confusion, limited mobility, weakness that limits the ability to safely ambulate long distances beyond the home)

Home Health Agencies work with our Care Managers on a regular basis and communicate their findings directly to the Care Manager who will then address the need/issue in a timely fashion.

If you feel that you or your loved one meet any of the above recommendations or would like more information, feel free to reach out a member of the Care Management Team or speak with your Physician today!

Colonoscopy Myth Number 6 - “If I was meant to get colorectal cancer it’ll happen anyway, so why get checked!”

One should never let anxiety or superstition cloud their ability to stay healthy. Colorectal cancer screening colonoscopies save lives by removing precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer.

The procedure is covered by the vast majority of insurances and can be done with open access scheduling. In addition, the procedure is safe and comfortable, and can be used to diagnosis other problems in the colon before they cause problems in the future.  

The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get a colonoscopy! In addition, individuals should also:

• Watch their weight
• Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains          
• Get regular exercise 
• Stop smoking                     
• Limit alcohol intake

If the thought of a colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy gives you anxiety or you are unsure if you need one, have a consultation with a Gastroenterologist as soon as possible.