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By: Kayla Holmes  Beginning the process of seeing a specialist and establishing care can be daunting. We are here to help and make the process as smooth as possible.
I’m concerned about my kidney function. How soon can I be seen? Our goal is to see New Patients within 1-2 weeks of receiving an appointment request. However, this is not always possible. We keep an up-to-date callback list in order to move appointments within our goal time frame. Do I need a referral? Formal referrals are not required for some insurances and policies. We use the term to encompass the process of establishing communication with another provider or office and the documentation that is most helpful to facilitate a productive appointment. Formal referrals with referral authorizations are only required in certain circumstances based on the individual insurance policy. If you are unsure if a referral is required, please contact your insurance carrier for more information. What documents are needed for my first appointment? The information needed to facilitate the most productive appointment includes, but is not limited to:
How do I get the necessary documents to your office? Obtaining lab results and other information pertinent to the appointment is preferred to make your appointment run smoothly and efficiently. There are a few ways to go about sending information over:
We will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you are prepared for your appointment and can be seen in a timely manner. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the referral process or how to see Dr. Munjal, please feel free to reach out to our office. By: Kayla Holmes  We’ve touched on what fluids are, how much too much can be, so it’s only right that we touch on dehydration to round out this segment of the Kidney Korner. Dehydration is simply when the body doesn’t have enough fluids to complete normal functions or when fluid intake is less than fluids lost. With summer in full swing, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of dehydration and how to treat it. Let’s discuss what causes dehydration, what symptoms to watch out for, and what to do if you become dehydrated.
What does dehydration have to do with my kidneys? Your kidneys control the fluid balance in your body. When you become dehydrated, your kidneys will have to work harder to try to maintain a fluid balance as well as perform their other functions. Dehydration can lead to increased blood pressure, a potential Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), or the worsening of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). What causes dehydration?
How do I know if I’m dehydrated?
What do I do if I’m dehydrated?
Munjal’s Musings: Dehydration occurs when the amount of fluids taken in is less than the fluids lost. Let's say you drink a gallon of fluids a day. Keeping that in mind, look at the two following scenarios:
Dehydration can be very dangerous if left untreated. This summer, remain mindful of the causes and symptoms of dehydration and learn to treat them immediately. Remember, hydration is a very delicate balancing act, so be sure to consult with a physician regarding your specific needs. What works for some, will not work for others. Tailor your needs accordingly and, as always, stay safe and healthy! *If you are on a fluid restricted diet, consult with your doctor and discuss these scenarios. To read our previous Kidney Korner posts on fluids, see the links below! Kidney Korner: Fluid Intake- Part 1 Kidney Korner: Fluid Intake- Part 2 By: Kayla Holmes  Habits and goals work together to become a dynamic duo when working towards accomplishing a task. Set a goal, then create habits to help facilitate the desired outcome. Let’s discuss the benefits of setting goals and creating habits.
Goals and habits can be particularly helpful for those with chronic illnesses that may need more in-depth and consistent healthcare. By creating healthy habits, like taking weight and blood pressure readings regularly, patients are able to better assist their healthcare teams in identifying trends and intervening more effectively and efficiently. This can help to increase time between required or recommended appointments as well as reduce emergency interventions, like hospitalizations. We have created a habit tracker for tracking weight and blood pressure that can be found on our website here. There are also a number of books and resources that delve deeper into the importance of habits and goals. If you are setting goals that may alter your lifestyle or health significantly, please consult with your physician(s) before continuing to ensure it is safe. As always, stay healthy!  We believe in recognizing and acknowledging the growth and hard work our team has shown. To do this, we began a program within the office we call KUDOS+. Our team is able to give praise and acknowledge exemplary work by their teammates throughout the quarter. At the end, the teammate with the most KUDOS+ given by their team is appointed the teammate of the quarter. Christopher, one of our fabulous Front Desk Coordinators, is our second quarter Teammate of the Quarter for 2023. We had the opportunity to sit down and learn more about what makes him an outstanding employee.
What is your schooling, background, and experience? I graduated from UNF this year with a bachelor degree in healthcare administration, and am BLS & CPR certified. I come from a long line of healthcare professionals in my family, and I can’t seem to break the curse! This is my first job in the healthcare field, and I want to demonstrate how much I care for my community through this wonderful opportunity. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I enjoy going to concerts, and indulging in my vast music collection. Going on walks and practicing my photography skills with my partner on some nearby nature trails has been a truly therapeutic pastime for me recently! What got you interested in healthcare? My father was certainly the biggest influence on my interest in healthcare; his profound love of caring for his own patients provided me a unique perspective where I could both philosophize on the importance of human life with him, as well as study his textbooks on the awesome complexities of our anatomy in my free time as a kid. He seemed to have the answer to every question I had. I have him to thank for pushing me in this direction. What are your passions? What drives and motivates you? All I ever wanted was to love and care for as many people as possible. Through my tribulations, I’ve garnered a sincere appreciation for what we’re all capable of, and I want to do my part in contributing to our time together on Earth. My motivation stems from the kindness and generosity of my partner Darren, who never gives up on me – to him, I owe so much. Do you have any special certifications or achievements? If so, what are they? Before I started college, I would frequently train students of all ages the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which I studied for about half a decade. I became a NAGA champion twice, and have carried on these skills and taught others basic self-defense ever since. I can also finally tie a tie by myself after 23 years. Do you have any other fun facts about yourself you’d like your team and our patients to know? I sometimes make music online with my friend in South America! He’s a one-man band that invites me to perform vocals over his instrumentals. If you want to talk about music, I’m all ears! What do you enjoy most about being part of the team? I absolutely adore the level of respect we have for each other. We work incredibly well as a unit, and we all share the same passion for our patients and community. I was welcomed so quickly and seamlessly – it feels like this is somewhere I belong! Personally, my team is part of my family. I love knowing that I can rely on each of them for any and everything, and vice versa. Way to grow, Chris! Thank you for your hard work, passion, and hunger for knowledge. |
