eCheck-In for All launching July 20
Effective July 20, patients with and without a MyChart account can use eCheck-In prior to their appointment.
Why is it Important?
- eCheck-In is helping to ease the way of patients by creating a more seamless experience that complements the online scheduling process.
- Registering on a computer or mobile device at home or on the go saves our patients stress and time the day of their appointment.
- Online registration reduces exposure between patients and staff.
What is eCheck-In?
We now offer eCheck-In to allow patients to check-in online prior to an outpatient visit. Patients can use their computer or mobile device to complete the following prior to arriving for their appointment:
- Complete/review personal demographics
- Request changes, additions, or removals of clinical data, such as medications, allergies, and “health issues”(aka problems)
- Verify their guarantor
- E-sign a consent to treat
- Pay a co-pay and/or account balance
What messages will I receive?
PacMed eCheck-In messages will be sent from Providence:
3 reasons to prioritize primary care — no matter how you identify
Build a strong foundation with your primary care doc, and they’ll advocate on your behalf
Dr. Miriam T. Kennelly chose to study medicine because she wanted to help. She wanted to be an advocate for people from a variety of backgrounds, especially those from underserved populations including LGBTQIA and veterans. She chose primary care as her focus because she enjoys building longterm relationships, and providing comprehensive care to her patients.
“Every patient is unique, and when I meet someone new I have no assumptions. It’s important to build that foundation of trust both because it’s respectful, and because it leads to better health outcomes,” she says.
3 ways a strong doctor-patient relationship helps you
1. Your advocate in the medical system
On your first visit to Dr. Kennelly at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) First Hill, she’ll ask a range of questions to start getting to know you and your health experience: what brings you to the clinic, what your experience in Seattle is, your past medical history (both physical and mental) and your social history — who you’re living with, where you’re from and what you do for work. All of this informs Dr. Kennelly about the full spectrum of you and your needs. The intake form usually includes a space to indicate your preferred pronouns, but she’ll ask if she hasn’t already learned this.
“I want everybody to have accessible health care, and I try to eliminate barriers to care,” Dr. Kennelly says.
The better Dr. Kennelly understands you, the better an advocate she can be when explaining your needs to medical specialists contributing to your care.
2. A consultant and coordinator of head-to-toe care
Your primary care physician is your gateway to the many specialists and services in the healthcare system. Suppose your routine cancer screening requires follow-up care or you’re seeking gender affirming surgery — or maybe you want a referral for depression or anxiety treatment. An appointment with your primary care physician is Step One, and they should help you every step of the way after that.
“You may not know where to go first, who to see next and when, and often you need a referral. Primary care physicians can also be a trusted confidant: someone to talk to throughout the process, someone you can always call,” Dr. Kennelly says. “We can integrate your test results and information from specialists, and make it more understandable.”
3. Better outcomes
Strong communication between doctor and patient also leads to more effective treatments.
“Just because I give a patient medical advice doesn’t mean they’re going to follow through and fill the prescription or try the exercises,” Dr. Kennelly says. “Patients are more likely to follow a treatment plan if they understand it, and if we’ve built that critical foundation of trust and respect. We’re on a team together.”
Physical therapists make moving through life easier
Physical therapists are experts in how your body moves. They help improve quality of life by increasing mobility, reducing or managing pain, and restoring function. You may hear physical therapists also called physiotherapists, physios—or most simply, PTs.
“When you visit a PT,” explains says Ellen Forslund, DPT, a physical therapist at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Northgate, “we will carefully examine your current physical ability, ask questions about injuries, work and lifestyle, and then develop a treatment plan to address your goals.”
What conditions warrant a visit to a PT? Physical therapists see it all, from injuries to chronic pain to the side effects of illness and other conditions. While PTs often treat patients with existing injuries or health conditions, they also provide preventive care for patients who want to become healthier and avoid injury or surgery. Some conditions you might not think of for a PT visit include:
- Some headaches are cervicogenic in origin—meaning that muscle tightness around the neck or head could be causing symptoms. A PT can identify activity modifications, stretches and strengthening exercises to help reduce pain.
- Dizziness, vertigo. Dizziness and vertigo can be due to a condition within the vestibular system. PTs can often offer treatments to improve function and reduce vertigo.
- PTs can provide individualized exercise programs, treatments for various symptoms and education during pregnancy and postpartum.
- Balance is crucial to functional mobility. Whether related to skiing or a walk on the beach, balance should be addressed before it becomes a problem. This is a great way to utilize a PT.
- Chronic pain. Chronic pain is usually due to a combination of factors rather than one. PTs can provide pain science education to better understand symptoms and offer treatments to help improve quality of life.
- PTs who specialize in pelvic floor conditions can assess and treat a range of symptoms related to pelvic health, including incontinence.
“I will work with you to understand your goals and lifestyle. Then, together, we will find a path forward to improve your quality of life,” says Ellen.
Telehealth PT appointments
If you prefer to work with a PT at home, a virtual (or telehealth) visit may be an option. Please take these steps to prepare:
- Most insurance companies cover telehealth. However, it is a good idea to call the number on the back of your insurance card to check your coverage.
- Wear comfortable clothes that allow a range of motion. Your PT will need to be able to see how you move.
- Prop your device up on a table so that your provider can assess your range of motion and function over the screen.
- Avoid headphones—or use cordless ones so that you can move around easily.
To make an appointment with PacMed Physical Therapy, call 206.621.4080. PacMed PTs see patients at the Beacon Hill, Canyon Park, Federal Way, Northgate and Renton locations.
After learning their goals, this doctor helps women plan
Your contraceptive choice depends on your family plans, your symptoms and your lifestyle
When Dr. Madolyn H. Krengel talks to a new patient about contraception, her first question is always, What’s your goal?
“Contraception is effective in preventing a pregnancy, but that’s not always a patient’s first priority. It can also be used for controlling acne, cramps, heavy flow, PMS symptoms and other conditions,” she says. “I can walk through options that fit best with their lifestyle.”
As a primary care physician at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Northgate, Dr. Krengel’s patients come to her for a wide range of preventive care and treatment. When appropriate, she tries to add contraception to the conversation, to better understand her patient’s perspective.
“If they’re hesitant, I start by asking, ‘How would you feel if you were to become pregnant in the next year?’ That helps me understand their needs. We don’t need to make a decision right away either — I’m happy to explore options,” she says.
The power to choose
“Contraception has been available long enough that we can take it for granted. But I think it’s a really powerful thing to be able to choose when you get pregnant,” Dr. Krengel says.
Every contraception has a different level of effectiveness. Dr. Krengel can explain the benefits and risks, and help you find the method that’s right for you. Would you prefer to “set it and forget it,” or do you like having daily control?
“Young women are more likely to be focused on preventing a pregnancy,” adds Dr. Krengel. “Women in their 30s may be ‘between children’ and thinking about timing their next pregnancy. I also remind patients: as long as you’re having a period you can get pregnant, regardless of your age.”
Non-hormonal options:
- Copper IUD: Inserted by a healthcare professional into the uterus, it should be removed after 10-12 years. “It’s just as effective as getting your tubes tied, though it can cause heavy or more painful periods.”
- Condoms: Less effective as a contraceptive, but the only form of birth control that lowers your risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
Hormonal options:
- Pill: “There are dozens of birth control pills available with varying levels of hormones, so if you tried one and had a bad experience, it doesn’t mean that all pills are off the table,” Dr. Krengel says.
- Patch: Sticks to the skin; replaced once a week.
- Ring: A flexible circular device you insert in your vagina; replaced once each cycle.
- IUD: Inserted in the uterus by a healthcare professional; effective for about five years.
- Nexplanon: A small, flexible strip implanted in the arm by a physician; removed after three years.
- Injection (the Depo shot): Injected by a doctor every 90 days. “It’s a great method for women who want to keep their contraception use private from a partner or anyone else living at home,” Dr. Krengel says.
Pediatrician says, Wellness starts in infancy!
Developmental, behavioral and mental health advice for infants, children, teens and young adults
2 to 3 years. That’s about how long the current waitlist can be for an appointment at Seattle-area autism clinics. If, at that appointment, your child receives an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, it can be another 18 months before your child starts receiving Applied Behavior Analysis therapy.
“One of my interests is helping children with developmental concerns get the services they need, as early as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment leads to better outcomes,” says Dr. Nawal Alkharouf, a Pediatric Specialist at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Canyon Park, who recently certified as a Center of Excellence provider for autism. “I strongly believe we primary care providers should do more to help children and families with developmental, behavioral and mental health concerns, given the scarcity and high demand for specialists.”
If you suspect your child may have autism spectrum disorder, Dr. Alkharouf is now certified to give you a diagnosis — and you won’t have to wait two years for an appointment.
The importance of regular well child visits
Regular doctor’s visits in an infant’s first two years of life aren’t just for immunizations — they’re essential for tracking growth and development of things like speech and motor skills. With the pandemic, many parents have cancelled or postponed well child visits. Children also interacted less with teachers, daycare workers and their peers, which has also lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
“Studies show better outcomes when intervention services like speech, occupational or physical therapy are initiated early. That’s why well child visits are so important,” Dr. Alkharouf says.
Mental health in infants, teens and young adults
“Suicide is now the second-most common cause of death in young people between ages 10 and 24, and stress can affect young children and infants too. I strive to do more continuing medical education to get better at recognizing, diagnosing, and managing common mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and behavior problems in children,” Dr. Alkharouf says.
Mental health challenges are not the same for every child or teen, but Dr. Alkharouf lists some possible signs of stress:
- Infants may be fussier, be more difficult to console, or have sleep or feeding issues.
- Toddlers and young children may have more tantrums, be hesitant to explore, or regress to bedwetting after potty training.
- Older children and adolescents may show sudden changes in behavior (an outgoing teen showing little interest in friends, for example); changes in sleep or appetite; problems with concentration at school and changes in appearance.
“One of the best ways you can help your children is to pay attention to your own mental health — our stress trickles down to our kids. I’m someone who loves to meditate and hike, and I really believe nature is the best healer. Include your family with things you enjoy, like hiking or yoga, so they see you demonstrating positive habits of mindfulness and exercise,” Dr. Alkharouf says.
7 things parents can do to prevent suicide
- Don’t let your teen’s depression or anxiety snowball. We all have bad days, but if a “bad day” lasts a week or more, seek professional help.
- Knock on the door and start a conversation. Listen without judgement, and pay attention to body language. “Poor communication between parent and child is a common trait in families who’ve been affected by suicide.”
- Share your feelings. Tell your teen that you experience these feelings too, emphasize that your child is not alone and that stressful times will pass and things will get better.
- Encourage your teen not to isolate from family and friends, but don’t push if they’re not ready.
- “Countless scientific studies show that exercise can put the brakes on mild to moderate depression — even going for a walk can release positive endorphins,” Dr. Alkharouf says.
- If you own guns, keep them locked or temporarily remove them from the house. “Guns are much more fatal than other forms of self-harm.”
- The goal is to rebuild confidence and self-esteem, so stay positive and don’t expect too much too soon.
For immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Our mental health is fundamental to our complete health
Practice self-care.
May is mental health awareness month, and this year with our lives in some part of upheaval due to the pandemic, mental health challenges are critical. Dawn shares some simple techniques or practices to use and to share with others as we aim to find our footing. One is take a few minutes, using each ‘sense’ to note the space around us, and do this periodically through the day.
Listen to Dawn’s interview with Kate Daniels on Warm 106.9.
Vaccine talk and insights for the greater good
Dr. Sharma, PacMed‘s medical lead for Infection Prevention, spoke with WARM 106.9 FM Sunday Morning Magazine about the COVID vaccines, their safety, the need to still follow safe protocols and the importance for the majority of people to receive the vaccine.
Strong women’s health starts with strong doctor-patient communication
Most doctors listen to your heartbeat… good doctors also take time for a heart-to-heart!
When looking for a primary care physician, it’s not just about finding someone who’s smart or has good reviews. Choosing a doctor who understands your values and makes you feel comfortable will also have a significant impact on your health.
“Your primary care provider should be an advocate for you in your health journey and provide you with recommendations to live not only a longer, healthier life, but also a life that’s meaningful for you,” says Dr. Lesley King, an Internal Medicine physician at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Beacon Hill. “It’s important to find someone who communicates in a way you understand and respond well to.”
Once you’ve found someone you trust, Dr. King says you can build communication — and health — through regular visits. Routine screenings can help detect cancers and other chronic diseases at an early stage, often before complications develop.
“For women this may include routine screenings for breast and cervical cancer, as well as chronic health conditions such as depression, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. It’s crucial that we don’t lose sight of diseases that affect everyone. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women — more than all types of cancer combined!”
To help your heart health, strive for a balanced diet and about 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week (where you can talk comfortably but wouldn’t be able to sing, according to Dr. King). Exercise also helps with bone strength, another aspect of women’s health that’s often overlooked.
“Weight-bearing exercises like walking or jogging are great ways to improve your bone strength. In the Pacific Northwest where we don’t get nearly enough vitamin D from the sun, almost all women should be taking at least 800-1000 units of vitamin D and 1000-1200 mg of calcium daily — through food if you can!”
Pandemic health: mental + physical
Women often serve many roles at home — caregiver, provider, chef, cleaner and more — and the pandemic has forced many women to make deep sacrifices.
“Holding so many important roles can take its toll. It’s vital to recognize signs of stress and find strategies for dealing with it,” Dr. King says. “Our time is at a premium these days, but taking just five minutes each day to practice meditation or just give yourself a break can improve your physical health.”
Your primary care doctor can help if you’re experiencing stress, worry, sadness or hopelessness.
“Depression and anxiety are extremely common, and we have many resources to help you manage,” Dr. King says. “Studies have shown that social connections have a significant benefit on physical health and can even help you live longer. The pandemic makes socializing harder, but a distanced outdoor conversation or online meet-up with friends certainly helps!”
Renton regular Saturday visits move to Federal Way for summer
Through the summer of 2021, we are moving normal south-end Saturday doctors visits from Renton to our Federal Way location. This is to accommodate COVID-19 vaccinations taking place at Renton.
Effective May 1 – August 28, PacMed Saturday appointments will be available at these two locations:
PacMed Federal Way Clinic
Saturdays, 9am to 4pm
31833 Gateway Center Blvd S
Federal Way, WA 98003
Call for appointment: 253.214.1920 or 866.985.6337
PacMed Canyon Park Clinic
Saturdays, 9am to 4pm
1909 214th Street SE Suite 300
Bothell, WA 98021
Call for appointment: 425.412.7200
PacMed Saturday Clinic visits typically accommodate emergent patient needs that arise during the week.
This change is being made to accommodate high-risk patient and community member COVID-19 vaccination appointments taking place at our Renton location. We plan to move our Saturday appointments back to our Renton Clinic in September, or as the vaccination situation evolves.
Sleep training tips for infants… and their parents!
Sleep training can be tough and isn’t for everyone, but this doctor has tips if you’re ready to try
Dr. Christina Chen-Milhone understands the struggles parents have with sleep. She’s a doctor of pediatrics and internal medicine who treats patients of all ages at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Totem Lake, and she’s also the mother of two children under age three.
“Parents want their child to sleep well so they can feel rested, which is important. But they don’t like the idea of the ‘cry it out’ method, which sounds heart-breaking, and is usually what people think of when they think of sleep training,” she says. “It was a struggle for me too, but with both me and my husband working, we chose to sleep-train our first child at three to four months.”
Dr. Chen-Milhone read Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Dr. Richard Ferber, which helped teach her baby how to put himself to sleep. They checked on their son, without picking him up, following the short intervals Dr. Ferber recommends.
“The first three or so days were awful and I cried, but after about a week our son had learned how to put himself to sleep. Our son is now almost three and still loves us the same!” says Dr. Chen-Milhone. “It’s not right for everyone. Ultimately, it boils down to what you think will work best for your family.”
FURTHER READING: A wellness legacy inspires care for all ages
4 tips for better sleep
- Put babies on their backs to sleep, to prevent SIDS. “Young infants will still have a startle reflex, so I recommend swaddling to help them sleep better,” Dr. Chen-Milhone says. Once babies are strong enough to roll over on their own, you don’t need to stay up all night flipping them onto their backs — just remember “back to sleep” whenever it’s time for a snooze.
- Try putting your baby down when they’re drowsy, and not when they’re already asleep. “It helps them associate bed with sleep,” Dr. Chen-Milhone says. Hold and rock your baby until they settle down. Then put them down.
- Crying is OK! It’s how babies communicate until they learn how to talk. “Crying isn’t physically or psychologically harmful, as long as the crying is for brief periods of time. The thousands of hours of love and care that parents provide for their baby makes up for the crying,” Dr. Chen-Milhone says. Crying is one way babies learn to self-soothe between the ages of two and four months, but it’s important to check on your baby every five to 15 minutes.
- Stick to a routine. “When my family had to stay at a hotel during the power outages, we kept the same bed time routine, and both our sons slept well. Any time babies have a cold or experience changes at home, a routine helps sleep stay constant,” Dr. Chen-Milhone says. Try “bath, brush, book, bed” or make up your own reminder — just keep it consistent.