SERVICES
Aside from health maintenance examinations and care for acute and chronic medical problems, Chapel Hill Internal Medicine provides other services usually found in only in larger facilities. You may avail yourself of these specialty services when referred by your primary care physician.
Laboratory:
The laboratory at Chapel Hill Internal Medicine is certified
annually by the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA).
The Commission provides quality assurance throughout the year. Blind
testing on a standard specimen is conducted, and our results are
sent to COLA to be sure our equipment and techniques result in accurate
lab values. Tests ordered by your physician that cannot be performed
in our lab are sent to Spectrum Laboratory, and Spectrum will bill
your insurance company.
Bone Density Scanning:
Osteoporosis, often known as brittle bones, affects one in four
women and one in eight men over the age of 50. Most insurance carriers
pay for periodic bone density screening as a tool to reduce the
risk of fractures. Patients taking certain medications may be at
a higher risk for developing bone thinning. Your physician can prescribe
one of several medications to treat osteoporosis. Chapel Hill Internal
Medicine has been performing bone density screens for more than
a year using the newest technology with less radiation than you
would be subjected to by a chest x-ray. The test is painless, and
our certified technicians will use every effort to insure your comfort
during the test.
Cardiology:
Chapel Hill Internal Medicine provides cardiology consultation
by Dr. Beth S. Rosenberg, M.D. If indicated, your physician may
refer you for an exercise stress test where you will exercise on
a treadmill in order to observe the performance of your heart muscle.
An impaired GXT may lead to an exercise stress test which combines
walking on the treadmill and visualizing the heart muscle with echocardiography.
Echocardiography is also used in diagnosing and treating problems
with heart valves and rhythm disturbance.
GI Unit:
Screening colonoscopy is now a covered benefit by almost all insurance
companies for the early detection of colon cancer. Polyps that may
lead to colon cancer are frequently found on screening colonoscopy
and removed as part of the procedure. If you are over the age of
50 you should have a screening colonoscopy. If a member of your
immediate family has had colon cancer, your physician may recommend
screening colonoscopy earlier than age 50. Endoscopy is a procedure
that examines your esophagus and stomach. Gastroesophageal reflux
(GER) is a common problem. Acid coming up from the stomach may cause
irritation of the esophagus, and early detection leads to appropriate
treatment with medication. Chronic problems with rectal bleeding
due to hemorrhoids are also treated in the GI Unit.
If you are scheduled for a procedure in the GI Unit, please click here for more information.