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 Do you prescribe pain medication? No. One of our goals is to provide relief that eliminates the need for pain medications. Do you see patients who have been in auto or work-related accidents? Yes. Automobile and work-related injuries are a common cause of chronic spine pain and are very effectively diagnosed and treated by our physicians. What do you mean by "Interventional Pain Management" ? At BSPS "Interventional Pain Management" means that meticulously performed minimally invasive interventions (procedures) are a key component in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient's pain. What is "Minimally Invasive"? "Minimally Invasive" simply means that a procedures is done percutaneously (through the skin). Percutaneous procedures involve the introduction of very small needles or needle-like instruments, and do not require stitches afterwards. This approach means that the risk of infection and complications, while still present, is minimized. In your Who We Treat section you list "injections". How are these different from the other shots I have gotten? Injections performed at BSPS are used predominantly for diagnostic purposes. These diagnostic injections require precise placement of specific analgesic medications at the structures that are suspected to cause pain. These procedures require specialized techniques and imaging equipment to assure pinpoint accuracy, and are performed in a state-of-the-art, sterile operating room to provide appropriate safeguards against infection. How long are the procedures? All of our procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, commonly referred to as "day surgery". Although most procedures are relatively short, a patient spends approximately 3 - 4 hours at our facility on the day of a procedure, as a careful evaluation after the procedure is critical to a successful diagnosis. Do I need a referral? Most patients are referred by physicians or other healthcare providers who are familiar with the services we provide. Our field is highly specialized and some physicians and other providers may not be familiar with either the field in general, or our evidence-based approach. This means that the patient must sometimes ask their provider for a referral. Patients are welcome to contact us directly. Is what you do experimental? No. Procedures performed by our physicians are recognized by numerous specialty societies, as well as the American Medical Association, and have been demonstrated to be safe and effective when performed appropriately. How do I make an appointment/get treatment? The easiest way is to have your physician or other healthcare provider make a referral. Asking your physician's office to send records or studies pertinent to your pain history can help to expedite the process. Our physicians review all referrals to be sure that the patients we see are good candidates for the services we provide. If necessary, our physicians may contact your provider with questions about your problems. Patients are welcome to contact us directly with questions about access to our services. Please note that our staff cannot answer medical questions and our physicians do not perform telephone consultations. What do I do if I need to travel to Bellingham? We have extensive experience in caring for patients from all over the United States and other countries. Diagnostic and subsequent treatment can require several visits, which can often be scheduled on successive days to minimize time away from home or work. We can also assist by providing directions, finding lodging, etc. Does BSPS take my insurance? BSPS contracts with a number of major insurance plans. Sometimes insurance companies have different plans that provide various coverage levels for each plan. It's best for your referring provider or for you to provide us with your current insurance information at the time of the referral so we can verify coverage with your insurer. Direct payment is an option and we have payment plans. |
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