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Referral Forms

• Pacific Vascular Referral Form – Main
• Pacific Vascular Referral Form – Bellingham
• Pacific Vascular Referral Form – Yakima, Ellensburg, Sunnyside
• Pacific Vascular Referral Form – Port Townsend, Sequim, Port Angeles
• UW Medical Center – Northwest Vascular Imaging Center Referral Form – UW Medical Center Northwest Campus, Seattle
• Valley Medical Center Vascular Ultrasound Services Referral Form – UW Medicine Valley Medical Center, Renton

 

What’s New?

• Vascular Ultrasound Changes at Valley Medical Center in Renton, WA 4.1.19
• New Vascular Lab in Port Angeles 11.9.2017
• Yakima Lab Location Has Moved! 2.27.17
• Federal Way Lab Location Has Moved! 11.2.2015
• Auburn Lab Location Has Moved! 9.28.15
• NW Hospital Vascular Lab Changes 9.1.2015
• PVI Publishes Price List
• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome – New Exam Offered at PVI
• PVI Receives Vascular Testing Accreditation by the IAC

 

FAQ’s

Why do I need to have a vascular evaluation?

Your doctor has determined that one of our non-invasive vascular evaluations would be beneficial to provide information about your blood vessels and about the way blood is passing through them. Your doctor’s referral is based upon your symptoms and physical exam.

What is ultrasound?”

Ultrasound is like ordinary sound except it has a frequency higher than humans can hear. It is emitted from a probe resting on the patient’s skin and is reflected off internal structures, like blood vessels, back to the probe. The returning signals are then converted by the ultrasound system into an image of the blood vessels and/or representation of blood flow which are viewed on a video screen. These continually changing images are digitally recorded for later review by an associate physician.

What occurs during a vascular evaluation?”

The technologist will obtain a brief medical history and perform an appropriate physical exam which will usually include checking pulses, listening with a stethoscope and taking blood pressures. The technologist will have you lie on an examination table and position you to allow for optimal access and visualization of the blood vessels of interest. An ultrasound probe (also called a transducer), along with gel, will be applied over the skin and manipulated to obtain images of the blood vessels and to assess blood flow. If you are undergoing evaluation for the lower extremity arteries (LEA), you may be asked to walk on a treadmill so that changes related to exercise can be evaluated. If you are having a cerebrovascular evaluation, the technologist will use ultrasound to look at arteries in your neck and head to evaluate the blood flow to your brain.   If you are having a peripheral arterial or venous evaluation, ultrasound will be used to evaluate blood flow in your legs and/or arms.   If you have been referred for one or more of the abdominal vascular evaluations, ultrasound will be used to evaluate blood flow to your abdominal organs.

Who will perform the exam?

A professionally trained and certified Registered Vascular Technologist will perform your examination. Pacific Vascular has trained technologists since 1974. Each technologist is tested and certified through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

Will it be painful? Is it safe?

There is no pain involved in a non-invasive vascular evaluation, although you may experience discomfort if you have swelling or tenderness in the area to be examined. There are no known harmful effects associated with the use of ultrasound. Studies in humans have revealed no direct link between the use of diagnostic ultrasound and any adverse outcomes.

How long will the exam take?

The average vascular evaluation takes approximately one hour. However, depending on the findings, the test may take a little longer.

How should I prepare for the exam?“]No prior preparation is necessary for a cerebrovascular evaluation (head and neck) or a peripheral venous evaluation (arms or legs). If you are having a peripheral arterial (legs) or abdominal vascular evaluation, you should not have food or drink (except water and any medication) for eight hours prior to your appointment time. This is due to the inability of ultrasound to penetrate abdominal gas which is produced as you digest food. (Please note that diabetic patients are exempt from this and should eat and drink as usual). Our schedulers will inform you if, and for how long, you should fast when you call to make an appointment.

What will I need to bring to my appointment?

Please bring your referral form signed by your doctor, photo ID and your insurance card.

Why Us?

Well-Established Business

• Pacific Vascular is employee-owned and has been in business since 1987
• Employs over 40 registered ultrasound technologists performing approximately 50,000 diagnostic vascular ultrasound exams annually

Specialists in Vascular Diagnostic Ultrasound

• Specializes only in vascular ultrasound testing, not other areas of ultrasound
• Technologists spend 100% of their time evaluating vascular disease
• Pacific Vascular is knowledgeable about vascular disease, vascular procedures and what is clinically relevant

Patient-Centered

• Pacific Vascular’s desire is to give the patient best quality of care
• Employs a Patient’s Bill of Rights which includes seeing patients on time or providing an explanation for any delay
• Ensures that all patients have a voice through ongoing patient satisfaction survey

High Quality Vascular Ultrasound Exams

• IAC Accredited in all 5 areas of vascular study: Extracranial Cerebrovascular, Intracranial Cerebrovascular,
• Peripheral Arterial, Peripheral Venous and Visceral Vascular
• All exams performed by highly skilled Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
• Professional interpretation services by credentialed physician reading panel
• Ongoing quality assurance conferences and accuracy studies
• Extensive Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance programs

24/7 Service with Partnering Hospitals

• On-call services are provided outside normal business hours
• Same day scheduling for urgent exams

Digital Internet-Based Reporting & Image Archive System

• Standardized user-friendly reporting with clinical illustrations
• HIPAA compliant Physician Web Portal allows the referring healthcare provider to view their patients’ report and images immediately after the exam is completed

Same Day Preliminary Report

• Digital preliminary reports faxed same day
• Phone report for clinically significant or urgent findings
• Phone report for rule out DVT exams before the patient leaves, regardless if positive or negative

Rapid Final Report Turnaround Time

• Professional interpretation services by credentialed physician reading panel
• Exams are read and signed by interpreting physicians within 48 hours or less.
• STAT reports are available when needed

Multiple Lab Locations Throughout Washington State

• Ensures convenient and timely testing for patients
• All locations have standardized exam protocols and reports
• Provides the same high quality testing, regardless of location

Follow-up Programs

• Provides of a follow up program in coordination with the provider for periodic assessment of at-risk patients

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