Info Desk [Paperwork, ordering, wait times, procedures, booklets, prescriptions...]

Does anyone have a heads-up on how long it usually takes to get lab results back from the Holy Spirit hospital—specifically the medical biochemistry department? I’m prepping for surgery (blood type, Rh factor, CBC, urine tests, etc.). Is getting this done about 7 days before my appointment with the anesthesiologist cutting it too close?

Also, what’s the deal if I go through a private clinic instead? I have my referrals ready, but will they actually honor those results, or is there some annoying extra hoop I have to jump through?

wearynomad12 said:Does anyone know the typical turnaround time for lab results at Holy Spirit—specifically medical biochemistry—because I need them ready for surgery prep (blood type, Rh factor, CBC, urinalysis, etc.)? Is doing this just seven days before my appointment with the anesthesiologist cutting it too close?

Also, what’s the deal if I get these done at a private clinic instead? I have the referrals, but will they actually honor those results, or is there some extra red tape involved?

They're legally required to accept the results, but as for the rest, I can't say for sure.

Does anyone know where I can go in Washington, D.C. to get an MSCT of my brain and a CDFI for my neck arteries?

Jeremy Reyes4 said:Where can I get an MSCT of the brain and a CDFI of the carotid arteries done here in Washington, D.C.?

I usually go to Quest Diagnostics for my MSCT.
As for the CDFI, you should check the Mayo Clinic.

My question is, where else can someone get a private colonoscopy performed?

Quick question for everyone—does anyone happen to know if physiatry appointments are held over at the hospital near the Holy Spirit or if they’re being done at Madison Square Garden instead? Thanks so much!

coppergardener said:Does anyone know if physiatry exams are held at the Washington, D.C. hospital or over at Madison Square Garden? Thanks.

I checked at Madison Square Garden. Don't expect much, though. It was a total mess.

boldnomad45 said:I actually checked the listings at Madison Square Garden—but honestly, don't expect anything useful there; it was just a total mess.

I certainly believe you. I reached out to them myself, and apparently, the actual exam has to take place at the hospital.

Delete /thanks

Does a standard iron panel actually look at my ferritin levels too, or am I going to have to specifically ask my doctor to order that part of the test?

crimsonfox26 said:Does a standard iron screening also look at my actual iron stores, or is that something I need to specifically request from my doctor?

That really depends on who is ordering the labs, but if you want a complete picture, it is highly recommended to test for serum iron, UIBC, TIBC, and ferritin. In my view, checking your ferritin levels is absolutely essential for understanding your reserves.

Keith Gonzalez said:It really depends on what your doctor thinks is necessary, but if I were you, I’d definitely get my iron levels, UIBC, TIBC, and ferritin checked. You absolutely can't skip the ferritin test.

I'm seeing a dermatologist because my hair has been thinning out more than usual lately.

Thanks for the input!

Hey there,

Quick question—how long does a white referral stay valid?

Thanks!

I’m feeling pretty frustrated right now, so I need to vent a little bit.
At DZ Siget, it seems to be a regular occurrence. My doctor is currently on vacation. I called last Friday and again this past Monday... just heard ringing and ringing... nothing. I tried again on Tuesday... still nothing. Then I called the main office... they said he's on leave and Dr. J. is covering for him.
So... I just need one single prescription. I’ve been calling all through Tuesday, all day yesterday, and since 7:30 this morning. Nothing. Now the line is just constantly busy. To make matters worse, there isn't even an option to send a text or an email.
I realize they might be busy, but still...
If I show up tomorrow without an appointment, I know they'll complain about people coming in person instead of calling and creating a crowd.

Does anyone happen to know the exact location of the MRI machine over at the trauma center on Draškovićeva?

The European Health Insurance Card is basically a free card that lets us access necessary medical care while we're traveling through the European Union.

But look, don't get it twisted—this isn't some magic fix that replaces actual travel insurance. It won't pay for private doctors, it won't cover an emergency medevac if you wreck it on a ski trip, and it definitely won't help if your gear gets swiped or lost. You really need to grab proper travel insurance to go along with your card.

This card works throughout the European Union and anyone who’s properly covered under the standard American health insurance system can snag one.

What the card actually does is cover urgent medical stuff—you know, those situations where a doctor at a facility abroad tells you, "Look, you can't wait until you get back home to the States to deal with this." This includes managing chronic issues like high blood pressure if you aren't traveling specifically for treatment, or even pregnancy-related care if you're just visiting and not there to give birth.

It also covers things like dialysis, oxygen therapy, or asthma treatments, but you can't just show up expecting that. You have to coordinate with the medical facility in whatever country you're heading to beforehand.

Greetings,

Is it actually feasible to consistently request the exact same specialist—whether it be a neurologist, a physiatrist, an orthopedic surgeon, and so on...
And perhaps someone could offer me a bit of guidance on how one might go about ensuring they are always seeing the same provider!

Thank you!

Whenever I schedule an appointment with my pulmonologist, I always stick with the same specialist I've been seeing for years... When I call to book, the receptionist always asks which doctor I'm looking for. So, when you call, just be sure to specify exactly which physician you want to see; it really shouldn't be an issue at all.

rustymason82 said:Whenever I schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist, I always stick with the same specialist I’ve been seeing for years... when I call to book, the receptionist always asks which doctor I’m looking for. So, if you make sure to explicitly state that you want to see a specific physician when you call, it shouldn't be an issue at all.

Thanks!

Hey there

I was wondering about something—if I go in for an exam at a private clinic... and after the checkup, the doctor tells me I need a specific medication

do I have to head back to my primary care physician to get a prescription, or can the specialist at the clinic just write it out right then and there so I can pick it up at the pharmacy?

You take the results from the Mayo Clinic over to your own doctor, who then reviews everything and writes up the specific prescription you need.