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- What is Stroke?
Answer: Stroke is an abnormality of brain function
caused by disruption of the circulation to the brain lasting
more than 24 hours. It is the third leading cause of death
in the United States, and is a significant source of disability.
The cost is great not only in human suffering, but also in
economic terms. Many patients disabled by a stroke consider
it a fate worse than death. Therefore, stroke prevention and
treatment are critical public health concerns. Advanced Screening's
mobile readiness provides skilled technologists and high tech
ultrasound screenings, providing thousands of individuals
every year with information valuable to their health maintenance.
- Are these screens covered by my
health insurance?
Answer: Typically no. With insurance companies
getting very strict about reimbursement A doctor cannot typically
order one of our tests up without a "billable diagnosis"
substantiating his or her order with symptoms significant enough
to merit ordering the procedure. Unfortunately in the process
of vascular and heart disease a problem is not always apparent
until significant symptoms begin to occur. This is why asymptomatic
screening is a viable alternative for many individuals who
wish to be proactive about their own healthcare.
- How can you tell if my arteries
are blocked?
Answer: Advanced Screening uses some of the most
advanced Duplex Ultrasound Imaging Equipment available on
the market today. Combined with the skill level of our technologist,
the equipment can both image and yield an audible signal of
the blood flowing through the arteries. What the technologist
visualizes is plaque or grayish-white matter that is clinging
to the arterial walls. What the technologist evaluates is
the frequency of blood flowing through the arteries. The wider
the opening, the lower the frequency. If an artery is almost
completely blocked for example 90%, the frequency of that
audible signal will be extremely high.
- Why can't my doctor order these tests
for me?
Answer: The doctor needs symptoms consistent
with making a "billable diagnosis" With most health
insurance plans a individual cannot go in and ask for these
exams without it costing hundreds of dollars per test usually
out of pocket. People without symptoms but who have multiple
risk factors are good candidates to have this screening performed.
- What are some of the risk factors
for stroke?
Answer: Risk factors can be family history, consistently
high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, sedentary
lifestyle are just a few of the risk factors.
- Whats my likelihood of having
a stroke?
Answer: Probability normally goes up with age,
however even young people have been known to haves strokes.
Generally speaking, risk factors such as smoking, obesity,
activity level, family history, blood pressures over time
and cholesterol levels play a large role in ones probability
of a stroke.
- Why Screen?
Answer: Due to cuts in medical insurance reimbursements
and the normally high cost of these test $300 to $1000, asymtomatic
(patients showing no sign of illness have little opportunity
to utilize this wonderfully painless, totally non-invasive
technology with no needles or dye. It's basically the same
technology that's used to look at a baby or gall bladder in
a hospital or lab setting. Advanced Screening was developed
to allow individuals to take a PROACTIVE role in their own
personal health care. Consider it "Health Care On Demand".
By allowing individuals the opportunity to make a choice,
individuals regain much of the information that others would
rather keep from us. When is the last time you were able to
retain all of the results of your last physical? Screening
asymptomatic individuals has enabled individuals to take charge
of their own situation.
- When will I get results?
Answer: At completion of the screening process,
the Technologist will explain the finding of the screen(s).
Two copies of the screen results will be given to allow the
participant to give one to his/her physician for their records.
- What if the results are abnormal?
Answer: Advanced Screening follows a very strict
policy and procedure regarding the results of the screens.
Each individual is referred to their own primary care physician
for confirmation of results and / or treatment options.
- How long does each test take?
Answer: Each screen takes 10 minutes or less to perform.
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Do I have to take my clothes
off?
Answer: No. You pull up your shirt or blouse for the heart
and Abdominal screen and take your shoes off for the leg
circulation screen.
- Is there any preparation for the
screening?
Answer: A 12 hour fast is required
for the lipid panel. Avoid a high neck collar for the carotid
screen. Avoid a heavy meal for the abdominal aorta screen.
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Who performs
the tests?
Answer: The tests are performed by
Registered or Registry Eligible Technologists. The same qualifications
that are necessary for the vascular lab or hospital.
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Are the
Technologists experienced?
Answer: Yes. The technologists
that we hire are typically “seasoned
professionals” with many years of experience.
We do not use “rookies” or Technologists
in training.
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Are you affiliated with any hospitals?
Answer: Though we do screening events
for many hospitals and clinics we are “non-referral”,
meaning we are doing screening strictly for the participant.
The information will only be shared with another
healthcare professional if the participant wants
us to and signs a waiver stating their desire to
have us forward the information.
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How good is the equipment that you use?
Answer: All of our equipment is state
of the art. We have an active joint venture agreement with
GE Healthcare and primarily use GE equipment for our imaging
needs. GE is the leading imaging provider in the world to
the Healthcare industry.
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How did you get my name?
Answer: We have a marketing department
that handles all of that.
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Who reads the tests?
Answer: The initial findings will
be documented with photographs and explained to you by one
of our staff professionals. If there is follow up work that
needs to be done they will indicate that. Your family Physician
will guide you to the next step. Only a qualified Physician
or specialist will render a diagnosis if necessary.
-
Will I be waiting
long?
Answer: We try to stage our participants
so there is a fifteen minute gap between appointment times.
In that fashion we rarely have long waits. Times given
however are approximate times.
-
Do I have to give you
my credit card now?
Answer: No. Credit card payments will be
accepted at the time of the screening.
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