"Get a Walkthrough of Coast Ultrasound Screening: What to Expect During a Health Screening."
Many people who are considering a health screening may wonder what they can expect. What do you do when you arrive? How long is the wait? And what is the screening procedure like? We’ll walk you through exactly what to expect in the steps below.
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Check-in
When you arrive, you should head to the Welcome Desk. This is where you’ll be asked to complete your check-in form and provide payment for your screenings, if necessary. This should only take a few minutes to complete.
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Waiting area
After you complete and turn in your paperwork, you’ll sit in the waiting area and wait for the technician to call you. Do not be concerned if others are in the waiting area. We follow our appointment schedule closely. In addition, you may need to return to the waiting area between tests.
Wait times can vary based on the number of people screened and the type of tests you receive. We are committed to finishing screenings and getting patients on their way as quickly as possible, however, our first concern is that the screenings we conduct are as accurate as possible. This means we take the time to share information with our patients. However, the majority of the screenings we complete each day are conducted within an hour.
We regularly measure our customer service capabilities, including wait times, and are always looking to improve. We vow to never cut corners to move people through the screening process quicker � quality, accurate screenings are our top priority.
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Meet your technician
When it’s time to undergo your screening, your technician will call your name. You will follow the technician back behind the privacy screen in the screening area. This is where your screening will take place.
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Blood testing
Blood testing consists of a simple, safe finger stick sample taken from your middle or ring finger. Note: this testing is not available in all states.
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Measurements
Your technician will take your height, weight and body measurements at this time.
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Bone density screening
If you’re undergoing a bone density screening, the technician will ask you to remove your shoe and sock on one of your feet. You will then place your foot into an ultrasound machine, where it will stay for approximately five minutes. Note: this step is only included in selected screening packages.
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Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screening
A technician will place pressure cuffs around your upper arms and ankles. A small ultrasound device will measure the systolic pressures in your limbs. Electrodes (stickers) for the atrial fibrillation screening will be placed on you at this time. This step takes approximately ten minutes.
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Atrial fibrillation screening
A technician will place electrodes (stickers) on your collarbones or your wrists, as well as your ankles. This pain-free test measures part of the electrical system of the heart to check for an irregular heartbeat. This step takes approximately five minutes.
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Carotid artery screening
A technician will ask you to lie on your back on an exam table. After applying gel to your neck, the technician will then move a transducer on your neck to create images of the carotid arteries and assess the rate of blood flow within them. This step takes approximately 10 minutes.
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening)
A technician will ask you to lie on your back on an exam table while he or she applies gel to your abdomen and uses a transducer to check for an enlargement of the abdominal aorta. This steps takes approximately five minutes.
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Screening ends.
At this point your screening is complete. Before you leave, you’ll receive your blood test results (if applicable). Your remaining results will be mailed to you within 15 days, at which time you can share those findings with your doctor.
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