A. Please call the main number (713-270-4545) and access the appointment desk!
Q. My family doctor has just told me I should visit one of your doctors. Why is this?
A. Your family doctor may have noticed a symptom, or a laboratory finding, that could indicate a problem with your kidneys, or you may have a history, or a family history, of some condition that can sometimes lead to kidney disease. Your doctor knows that early evaluation and treatment is the best defense against chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
Q. Why do I have to have a referral to be seen by one of the doctors at Southwest Nephrology Associates?
A. Southwest Nephrology Associates is a specialty practice which provides care only for persons with kidney-related conditions. We do not want you to have an unnecessary office visit with us if you are not sure ours is the type of practice you need. We won’t make an appointment for you unless your family doctor or primary care physician (PCP) already suspects that you are having some sort of kidney problem and has shared his findings with us.
Q. Why do I often have to get blood drawn before an appointment?
A. There are a number of factors in your blood which can indicate to your doctor, as time goes by, how your kidney disease is progressing, how well the prescribed treatment is working, and whether your prescriptions need to be adjusted. You may also be asked occasionally to collect a 24-hour sample of urine, to take to the laboratory.
Q. Why can’t I get my medical information by phone?
A. We are very careful to abide by the federal laws protecting the privacy of your medical information. We can have no certainty that the person on the phone is the person whose information is being requested, so we will not fax records or share them verbally. If you want your information shared, we will ask you for a written consent to send specific information to another doctor, or under certain circumstances your nephrologist may call you with the results of a test.
