Physicians who practice internal medicine are often called “internists,” and our internists specialize in treating adults. They provide care for acute problems such as colds and injuries, follow up on complex medical conditions and routine examinations, and offer expert guidance for disease prevention. 

Nothing to eat or drink EXCEPT water, tea, or black coffee (no cream or sugar). 

This means you CANNOT have: 

• Diet soda or soda, 
• Juice of any kind, 
• Candy, mints or gum, or 
• Vitamins of any kind. 

However, medications should be taken as usual unless they are taken with food or milk, or your doctor says otherwise. 

Some of our physicians continue to follow their patients if hospitalization is required, but others do not. If you are hospitalized and your physician does not round at the hospital, then you will be cared for by the hospitalist, a physician who only works inside the hospital. 

Like gynecologists, internists can provide routine pap smears and pelvic exams. However, some patients prefer to continue seeing their gynecologist for exams while their internist manages their other concerns. You are welcome to choose whichever path makes you the most comfortable. 

If testing for lipids or cholesterol, then fast for 12 hours* 

If testing for blood sugar, then fast for 8-12 hours* 

*NOTE: Fasting longer than 14 hours can cause an error in your lipid (cholesterol, triglycerides) results. 

For drug levels (e.g., Digoxin, Dilantin, Tegretol, Theophylline, Quinidine, Norpace), it is recommended that these levels be drawn prior to the next dose for therapeutic monitoring. 

In most cases, lab results can be found in the Patient Portal. Sometimes the physician or their nurse will call you about your results. If you prefer, a paper copy can also be mailed to you upon request. Please contact our office if you are having problems getting your results or if you have not heard from your provider or nurse within 5-7 days. If you need help, then please call the office and speak to your nurse. 

We do some tests where the specimen is taken here and sent out to a “Reference Lab” for processing. If you have questions about this, then please check with your laboratory technician. They can explain if any of your tests require us to send the specimen out for analysis. If we do send it out, then you will receive a statement or bill from them, as well.  

We ask that you notify your nurse whenever you have outside lab orders so she can get them preapproved with your provider and ensure it is something we can do here in the office. There are times when another provider asks that lab work be drawn, but it is something we do not perform here in the office. In these cases, it would be better for you to go directly to the reference lab rather than have them drawn here. 

The LIMA lab allows patients to have access right in our clinic to the following testing:  chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, immunology, flu, covid, strep and respiratory panel.