True / False

1.

Dr. Yaffe performs colonoscopies every morning using light general anesthesia.  You sleep peacefully and awaken in the 'beach' recovery room.  You are able to leave, usually alone, within 30 minutes and you can return to work after a light breakfast.  Virtual colonoscopy should really be called 'virtual barium enema'.  It consists of inserting air into the rectum, and manipulating the air under pressure throughout the colon.  It takes 20 to 30 minutes, and is performed without any anesthesia, usually causing gas cramps.  It gives beautiful pictures, but requires a follow-up colonoscopy if something is found.  The preparation is about the same as the prep for a colonoscopy.  Insurance doesn't pay for this procedure.

TRUE

2.

The Coronary Artery Calcification Score  (CACS) is performed with a 16-slice Ultrafast Cat Scan of the Heart.  Dr. Steven Wolff was a lead researcher in the cardiology radiology group at the NIH, and is now a lead researcher for GE Cardiac Scanning.  He has one of the most advanced Ultrafast Cat Scanners in the world, and is able to identify how much calcified plaque is clogging the coronary arteries, where it is, and what it looks like.  The test is completely non-invasive, and takes about 7 minutes.  It is not covered, and costs $400.  It can be arranged through our office.

The stress test evaluates whether there is good blood flow to all areas of heart muscle while one is exercising on a treadmill.  It is best used when one is evaluating chest pain associated with exercise.  It is also used prior to starting an exercise program in order to judge the amount of exercise that is safe.  The stress test will show a positive result only if there is a significant blockage in an artery, about 70%, whereas the CACS will show whether there is any calcified plaque at all, and where it is.  After drug treatment, we may be able to track the quantity and quality of the plaque changes with the CACS.

TRUE

3.

We have never heard of a "jetermeter," but we would imagine if there is one, it is in the possession of George Steinbrenner. Pulmonary function testing is performed in the office and is capable of determining the amount of damage to the lungs from tobacco, evaluation of asthma, and evaluation of other chronic lung diseases.

FALSE

4.

Echocardiograms are non-invasive heart tests that determine heart size, valve function, and effectiveness of heart contractility. It is the best test to evaluate heart murmurs to determine if antibiotics are necessary before dental visits in an individual with a heart murmur. The test is performed in the office several days per month.

TRUE

5.

Jen Colavito takes most insurance plans.  She is in the office Wednesday afternoons and all day Thursdays, and can be seen on the spur of the moment if you happen to be in the office for something else that day! She sees patients for annual eye exams.  She performs excellent medical eye exams and can take care of problems ranging from glaucoma to eye infections.  She evaluates vision for glasses, and can evaluate one's options regarding vision improvement surgeries (LASEK). 

TRUE

6.

We have a full body bone density machine.  The test takes 7 minutes and is painless, performed while the patient is fully clothed.

TRUE

7.

Whereas we used 'humming' as the anesthetic choice of the past, insurance now pays for light IV anesthesia that provides a very peaceful 10-minute nap. We can look around the inside of the stomach and evaluate for GERD, ulcers, bacteria (h. pylori), and other stomach and duodenum issues.  You are up and about in a few minutes, and able to eat and return to work.

TRUE

8.

We will try to be on the cutting edge of preventive medicine by paying attention to genetics and metabolic research as it pertains to supplements, dietary intake, and lifestyle issues.  We will constantly update our supplement site for prevention and protection as new information becomes available.

TRUE

9.

We try to confirm all appointments so that we can schedule efficiently.  It costs us $1500 per hour ($90,000/week) to run the office.  With the limited reimbursement we get from managed care, one 'no show' translates into an inability to break even for that hour!  Please cancel with enough time so that we can fill the timeslot, because otherwise the accountant has given the staff a 'no-excuse policy' for billing confirmed missed appointments.

TRUE

10.

Even when it snows, but not during the summer or on holiday weekends. 

TRUE

11.

Carolyn Bouton gives 10-session biofeedback therapy courses where she teaches breathing and relaxation for the relief of headaches, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders, and panic.  She is an established psychologist who can get you covered in Aetna, Oxford and United.

TRUE

12.

Sam Lippin tries to get you in and out "Germanically" on schedule.  He tries to relate to your desk and ergonomic situations, and tries to train you in home exercises and stretches, so as to minimize PT visits to the office.

FALSE

13.

During peak phone hours the receptionists can be overwhelmed with urgent issues. They cannot spend time on routine issues during these hours and will ask you to call back at a later time when they can better handle your concern. 

TRUE

14.

While we will have the most interactive electronics of any office known on the planet, specimen collection over the Internet is just not an option.

FALSE

15.

This patent-pending button enables you to arrive late, state that you came late because the website indicated that we were running late, and be put into the schedule as if you had arrived on time! Hopefully the receptionist understands that as well as you now do. Any questions—call Dr. Yaffe.

TRUE

16.

In spite of the resemblance, neither Dr. Ruden, nor his identical twin dentist brother, Dr. Ruden, are  related to Mr. Putin, although the name sounds awfully suspicious. 

TRUE