General

Questions

  1. What do I need to bring to my appointment?
  2. I see you have nurse practitioners (NP). May I see a NP rather than a doctor?
  3. Do all of your doctors provide the same services?
  4. Why do I need to bring my medications every time I come?
  5. My primary care physician is sending me to your office for some heart testing. When and how will I get the results?
  6. What happens if my cardiologist says I need heart surgery – do any of your physicians do this?
  7. What hospitals do CAG physicians go to?
  8. I was just seen in your office and my cardiologist ordered more testing there in your building. When and how will I get the results?

Answers

  1. What do I need to bring to my appointment?

    Items you should bring to every visit include: - All medications, vitamins, and supplements you take routinely - A picture i.d. - Your current insurance card(s) - Any recent testing results that we may not be aware of

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  2. I see you have nurse practitioners (NP). May I see a NP rather than a doctor?

    Our nurse practitioners work in teams with specific physicians. At this time, Dr. Silverstein, Dr. Dillon, and Dr. Roark have NPs. Occasionally patients of these physicians may see only the practitioner when in for an office visit. In these circumstances our practice is to have the NP discuss your status and care with the physician in detail to assure that there is agreement on the prescribed plan of care.

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  3. Do all of your doctors provide the same services?

    A. The physicians of CAG provide a broad range of cardiology services. - Doctors Silverstein, Roark, and O’Meara are Interventional Cardiologists. This means that they perform both diagnostic (looking to see if there is a problem) and interventional (fixing the problem) cardiac catheterizations. - Dr. O’Meara also performs peripheral interventions. - Doctors Smock and Werbel perform diagnostic cardiac caths. - Doctors Smock and Roark implant icds and bi-v devices. - Doctors Smock, Roark and Sivlerstein implant pacers. - Doctors Dillon, Gros, and Tong are medical cardiologists who specialize in areas such as Transeshophogeal Echocardiography, Cardioversions, Nuclear Testing, etc.

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  4. Why do I need to bring my medications every time I come?

    Reviewing your medications and supplements on a routine basis is an essential part your care. Many or our patients see multiple care providers, who may order medications that have an impact on the effectiveness of your heart medications. Additionally, pharmacies may substitute generic equivalent medications, which may perform differently than the ordered medications. Brining your medications and supplements for review allows your cardiologist to provide you with comprehensive cardiac care.

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  5. My primary care physician is sending me to your office for some heart testing. When and how will I get the results?

    Most tests are interpreted the day they are completed. Should there be an urgent or significant finding, the ordering physician will be contacted immediately. CAG takes great care to assure accuracy of all test results. Once your results have been finalized and reviewed, the information is faxed to the ordering physician. We suggest allowing 7 workdays before you contact your primary care doctor to get your results.

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  6. What happens if my cardiologist says I need heart surgery – do any of your physicians do this?

    Open-heart surgery is performed by specially trained cardio-thoracic surgeons. Should heart surgery be indicated for you, be assured that our physicians have excellent relationships with community and academic heart surgeons. This means that such referrals are typically very easily accomplished.

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  7. What hospitals do CAG physicians go to?

    We have full admitting privileges at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. CAG physicians hold consulting privileges at Lake City Medical Center and Shands Starke.

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  8. I was just seen in your office and my cardiologist ordered more testing there in your building. When and how will I get the results?

    As stated above, most test are reviewed the day they are completed. Once the final review has occurred we will contact you by mail or by phone with the results. If 7 workdays have passed and you have not heard from us you are welcome to call.

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