Scheduling of an appointment is available in advance. In Emergency or if you need to be seen prior your next appointment we would be glad to accommodate you. In most cases, you will be coming into the office unless the Doctor decides your problem warrants going straight to the hospital where you will be seen immediately upon arrival by Dr. El Shahawy.
If you must reschedule an appointment we ask that you give at least 24hours notice. A cancellation that is not called in may deny another patient an appointment time. We sincerely try to keep to your scheduled time of appointment as we value your time. However, we ask you to understand that if an emergency should occur, the emergency patient must be seen before you, or the Doctor may be delayed because of an emergency at the Hospital. If your schedule is tight, please let the office staff know so that we can reschedule you later that day or on another day that is more convenient for you and for us. As a service to our patients, we will try to call and confirm your appointment the day before.
If you are not having any symptoms, but believe in the principle that ONE OUNCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN ONE POUND OF CURE, and would like to take advantage of the 18-point cardiovascular risk assessment, please visit the Cardiovascular Disease Assessment Center.
New Patients
We need a complete medical history, list of medications and any past medical records you may be able to obtain. This will help the Doctor to know you better and enable him to take better care of the "total you". If your appointment is scheduled far enough in advance we will have you come in to pick-up the forms that you need to fill out for your first appointment and give you a chance to meet our staff. If this is not possible we will mail the forms to you, or you can download the forms here:
Laboratory Information
Most routine lab tests are done in the office. We are equipped to perform the following testing procedures:
- All Non-Invasive Cardiac Testing including cutting edge testing for early detection of cardiovascular disease. We are the home of the 18-Point Cardiovascular Disease Inspection Tests
- ECG and Treadmill Stress Test
- Echocardiogram and Doppler Echocardiography
- 24-48 Hour Ambulatory ECG Monitoring (Holter Monitor)
- Ambulatory 24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Pacemaker Checks
- Nuclear Cardiology Studies
- Pulmonary Function Testing
- Complete Blood Chemistry, Including Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and Protime
- Urinalysis
- Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (Cardiac C.T.) and Calcium Scoring
Telephone Calls:
The office staff has been specially trained to answer most of your questions. All questions on medications, refills and insurance should be made during regular office hours.
If you feel you or your neighbor has an emergency and our office can be of help please call the office. There is a 24 hr. service and the Doctor will be in contact with you immediately. All patients with any questions that they may have on medical problems, are encouraged to call our office.
"Call Backs" by the doctor:
In case of you need to speak to the doctor, you will be asked to leave your name and number. The doctor will call you back as soon as he is free without interrupting appointments with patients in the office.
Prescription Refill:
Please call your pharmacist for all prescription refills.
The Pharmacy will fill the prescription or call this office
For authorization, if necessary.
Please allow at least 24 hour turnaround for all prescription refill requests.
Emergencies:
In urgent situations we prefer that you call so that we may advise you and arrange to see you in the office or emergency department if necessary. In an emergencya situation when you don't have time to call us, you can be taken to the Emergency Department at Sarasota Memorial or Doctors Hospital, where you can be seen immediately by the emergency room physician until Dr. El Shahawy can be called. The Emergency Department at either hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week and staffed all the time by emergency room physicians. Dr. El Shahawy has privileges to take care of you at either hospital.
After hours care:
Nights, weekends and holidays - Dr. El Shahawy or his coverage will be available and on call 24 hours a day. Just call the office, and the answering service will put you directly in contact with the Doctor.
Availability
When the doctor is away:
The best way for a physician to remain well informed about the most recent effective methods of diagnosis and treatment is for him to attend specialty courses.
Dr. El Shahawy makes every effort to attend these courses. If he is unavailable for any reason, your call will be referred to a well qualified doctor who is covering and he will have full access to the records.