SERVICE PROVIDED AT HEIGHTS MEDICAL

The composition of our medical staff - Family Practioners, Internist and Nurse Practitioner - makes our practice unique in being able to deliver to our patients a wide variety of medical care services from illness to prevention.

We provide:

OPEN ACCESS APPOINTMENTS:

We provide same day appointments, making every effort to restore good health in the shortest period of time.

DISEASE MANANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC ILLNESS:

We care for a large population of persons with chronic diseases such as Diabetes (whether insulin dependant or not); Hypertension; Heart Disease; High Cholesterol.

We are all members of the staff at Hackensack University Medical Center and have relationships with all specialists there as well. We have broad base internet access in each room to research any specific need which may arise in the care of our patients.

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE: ANNUAL PHYSICALS

Annual physicals are performed according to nationally recognized age and gender guidelines assuring that all health maintenance issues are addressed. These exams insure that all appropriate testing is coordinated in a timely fashion such as cancer screenings, Pap smears and breast checks, cardiac testing, high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol control.

PRESURGICAL EVALUATIONS: Pre Admission Testing

Everyone who is to undergo a surgical procedure requires pre admission testing which varies according to the procedure and age of the patient. The electrocardiogram, chest x-ray and blood tests are usually done at the hospital and ordered by the surgeon. The Pre-surgical Evaluation or Medical Clearance is performed at Heights Medical. After careful review of all the results and our examination, the patient is considered able to undergo the surgical procedure. This protocol is designed to uncover any conditions not appropriate for surgery and correct them before the surgical date.

SCHOOL AND CAMP PHYSICALS

From pre-school to college and beyond, schools require an assessment of the students’ physical ability and well being to attend school. Heights Medical can perform the requirements of each school. It is essential that a complete immunization history, from infancy, be available at the time of the examination to satisfy the requirements of the schools and state regulations.

Camp physicals usually have the same requirements to assure the health and safety of the campers.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE PHYSICAL: CDL

All operators of commercial vehicles are required by the New Jersey State Department of Transportation. Division of Motor Vehicles, to possess a special drivers’ license requiring a physical examination, and in some instances a drug screening to operate their vehicle which Heights Medical provides. These physical are not covered by medical insurance policies,

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICALS:

Heights Medical is contracted by many companies to perform pre-employment physicals on prospective employees. We have the capability to perform special testing according to requirements of employers.

VISION TESTING:

VISION: Heights medical uses a Titmus screener approved by the FAA for testing pilot’s vision. We test for Acuity (near and far vision), Depth Perception, Color Perception, Muscle Balance and Horizontal Peripheral Vision.

IMMUNIZATIONS:

Heights Medical follows the Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for children to age 18 years. For children and adolescents who start late or who are more than one month behind we provide the “Catch-Up schedule.

As part of health maintenance we provide adult immunizations such as influenza, pneumovax.

HEIGHTS MEDICAL Vaccine Policy Statement :

We firmly believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives.

We firmly believe in the safety of our vaccines.

We firmly believe that all children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

We firmly believe, based on all available literature, evidence, and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities. We firmly believe that themerosal, a preservative that has been in vaccines for decades and remains in some vaccines, does not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.

We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting intervention we perform as health care providers, and that you can perform as parents/caregivers. The recommended vaccines and their schedule given are the results of years and years of scientific study and data gathering on millions of children by thousands of our brightest scientists and
physicians.

These things being said, we recognize that there has always been and will likely always be controversy surrounding vaccination. Indeed, Benjamin Franklin, persuaded by his brother, was opposed to smallpox vaccine until scientific data convinced him otherwise. Tragically, he had delayed inoculating his favorite son Frankly, who contracted smallpox and died at the age of 4, leaving Ben with a lifetime of guilt and remorse. Quoting Mr. Franklin’s autobiography:

“In 1736, I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the smallpox…I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died under it, my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen.”

The vaccine campaign is truly a victim of its own success. It is precisely because vaccines are so effective at preventing illness that we are even discussing whether or not they should be given. Because of vaccines, many of you have never seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis, or even chickenpox, or known a friend or family member whose child died of one of these diseases. Such success can make us complacent or even lazy about vaccinating. But such an attitude, if it becomes widespread, can only lead to tragic results.

Over the past several years, many people in Europe have chosen not to vaccinate their children with the MMR vaccine after publication of an unfounded suspicion (later retracted) that the vaccine caused autism. As a result of under immunization, there have been small outbreaks of measles and several deaths from complications of measles in Europe over the past several years.

Furthermore, by not vaccinating your child you are taking selfish advantage of thousands of others who do vaccinate their children, which decreases the likelihood that your child will contract one of these diseases. We feel such an attitude to be self-centered and unacceptable.

We are making you aware of these facts not to scare you or coerce you, but to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child. We recognize that the choice may be a very emotional one for some parents. We will do everything we can to convince you that vaccinating according to the schedule is the right thing to do. However, should you have doubts, please discuss these with your health care provider in advance of your visit. In some cases, we may alter the schedule to accommodate parental concerns or reservations. Please be advised, however, that delaying or “breaking up the vaccines” to give one or two at a time over two or more visits goes against expert recommendations, and can put your child at risk for serious illness (or even death) and goes against our medical advice as providers at [Your practice name here]. Such additional visits will require additional co-pays on your part. Furthermore, please realize that you will be required to sign a “Refusal to Vaccinate” acknowledgement in the event of lengthy
delays.

Finally, if you should absolutely refuse to vaccinate your child despite all our efforts, we will ask you to find another health care provider who shares your views. We do not keep a list of such providers, nor would we recommend any such physician. Please recognize that by not vaccinating you are putting your child at unnecessary risk for life-threatening illness and disability, and even death.

As medical professionals, we feel very strongly that vaccinating children on schedule with currently available vaccines is absolutely the right thing to do for all children and young adults. Thank you for your time in reading this policy, and please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about vaccines with any one of us.

TRAVEL ADVICE by Travel Clinics of America:

For patients who travel we can provide the up to date CDC information and recommended precautions for travel everywhere.

LABORATORY SERVICES:

A full time Phlebotomist is on duty at Heights Medical to draw blood from our patients for testing. Drawing blood is their profession and they are extremely good at it. We are contracted with the major laboratories such as LabCorp, Quest Labs and Total Labs to assure blood samples are sent to the proper laboratory according to patients insurance..

Some tests can be performed at the office for immediate results and many are being added to better accommodate our patients. (What are they or will be).

CARDIAC TESTING:

Electrocardiograms (EKG’s) are interpreted immediately.

24 hour Holter Monitoring for those patients that experience palpitations or other arrhythmias to check every heart beat for a 24 hour period.Event Monitoring is available for palpitations that do not occur every day.

Echocardiography to test heart muscle and valves

PULMONARY TESTING:

Computerized Spirometry assess lung function and capability especially for those with respiratory illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and for smokers.

Aerosol Nebulizer therapy for pulmonary conditions. Acute bronchitis and severe coughs.

NERVE TESTING:

Using the Neurometrix allows us to diagnose neuropathies early so that preventive measures can be undertaken to avoid progression to advanced damage as a consequence of Diabetes, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica, Herniated Discs, Obesity and Spinal Stenosis. The testing is accurate and is supported by the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Neurology.

Intracellular Vitamin Analysis

BMI Testing

Weight Loss & Management with Isagenix.

SpectraCell Analysis
www.spectracell.com

Our Medical Staff would like to introduce you to a new technology developed by the University of Texas and offered by SpectraCell Laboratories that could improve the quality and length of your life!

Levels of certain nutrients have historically been measured in the serum. Static measurements, such as serum assays, can be transitory, reflecting an individual nutritional status over a narrow window of time. SpectraCell measures the intracellular function of selected vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential micronutrients within your white blood cells (lymphocytes).since lymphocytes carry an individual’s history for a period of time. The results obtained uncover deficiencies that standard serum tests may miss. If not correct, such deficiencies could impair your health by contributing to the overall development and/or progression of chronic disease.

There is overwhelming evidence documenting that vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and other essential micronutrients deficiencies suppress the function of the immune system. This contributes to degenerative processes leading to disease such as arthritis, cancer, heart disease and diabetes, to name a few and keep you from feeling your best

It is highly recommended that anyone with a chronic illness, such as arthritis, cancer, fatigue, fibromyalgia, those on medication, alcohol consumers, recreational drugs, over exercising, sedentary habits and smokers. Both males and females should be tested prior to conceiving, pregnancy and/or nursing mothers and those individuals requiring surgery.