OPA has two state-of-the-art X-Ray suites fully equipped with the latest in digital computed radiography equipment.  Physician’s can view X-Ray images on wireless PC tablets and high resolution diagnostic monitors within seconds from the time the images are taken.  All patient X-Rays are stored on secure on-site servers for immediate 24 hour access from any location.   X-Rays, MRI and CT images from hospitals and imaging centers can also be viewed or imported and stored on the OPA imaging system.
Click here for information about obtaining copies of X-Rays.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) studies are often essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment of complex orthopedic conditions.  OPA is fortunate to have immediate on-site access to a new state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla GE LHX MRI unit with special features added for optimal orthopedic imaging. This service also includes a full size fluoroscopy unit used primarily in orthopedics for arthrograms where contrast material must be precisely injected into a joint by a surgeon or radiologist physician to enhance certain MRI images.

Since MRI units are large, heavy, complex, and require highly specialized technical expertise to operate, they are commonly located in special imaging centers and hospitals requiring patients to travel outside the surgeon’s office.  OPA patients avoid this inconvenience and are able to have MRI studies performed while they are on site for their OPA office visit.

This service is made possible by Diagnostic Imaging of Alaska and Diagnostic Health of Alaska, Harold Cable, M.D. and John McCormick, M.D., radiologists.

OPA has a state-of-the-art portable fluoroscopy unit on the office floor capable of providing low radiation, live, digital moving images to more precisely treat and diagnose certain conditions during patient visits.  This unit provides a significant advantage to orthopedic surgeons when precision is needed for any number of minor procedures and diagnostic evaluations.

Bone density is a significant factor in many orthopedic conditions including osteoporosis, joint replacement, and vertebral fracture assessments.  Regular bone mineral density (BMD) evaluations are frequently recommended for both men and women at certain ages as a means to help prevent debilitating fractures and evaluate rheumatology conditions with the onset of old age.

OPA provides in-office bone densitometry evaluation services using a state-of-the-art system.

OPA offers on-site electro diagnostic studies using a state-of-the-art EMG machine to perform electromyography and nerve conduction studies.   These studies help physicians diagnose disorders of the neuromuscular system (muscles and nerves) and determine the severity of such common conditions as:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and tarsal tunnel syndrome (Mononeuropathies – involving a single nerve)
• Shoulder, chest and arm conditions originating in the nerves of the cervical or thoracic spine (Brachial plexopathies - involving a group of nerves)
• Disorders resulting in sensory disturbances in certain limbs (Polyneuropathies – involving several peripheral nerves simultaneously)
   

Applying and removing casts and using braces and other assist devices to help stabilize and protect muscles and bones during the healing process is an important part of orthopedic care and is considered a highly technical art and science.  OPA offers some of the most experienced and friendly cast technicians in Alaska and takes great care in stocking a complete array of state-of-the-art cast materials and hundreds of various assist devices (braces, crutches, slings, boots, and other items) in all sizes.

OPA is pleased to send prescriptions to the patient’s pharmacy of choice.  Certain medications may be dispensed directly in the OPA office.  In addition, Geneva Woods Health Care Services, a local pharmacy company, operates a convenient full service on site retail pharmacy on the main floor of the OPA building.

Physical therapy is often an essential part of the orthopedic healing process.  Physical therapists (PT) can help patients achieve a level of mobility and freedom from pain that can be achieved in no other way.  The Anchorage Mat-Su area is fortunate to have a wide range of expert, certified physical therapists with experience in many orthopedic subspecialties.  OPA supports and works closely with a wide variety of local area therapists and refers patients for therapy based on the individual therapist’s special expertise and outcomes history for each unique patient condition.  These are a few of the many fine local physical therapy groups OPA is pleased to support and work with:

• Advanced Hand Orthopedics
• Alaska Hand Rehabilitation
• Alaska Physical Therapy Specialists
• ASI Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Chugach Physical Therapy
• Eagle River Physical Therapy
• Frontier Therapy Services
• Joint Effort Physical Therapy
• Providence Outpatient Therapies
• Rebound Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy
• Select Physical Therapy
• South Anchorage Physical Therapy
• United Physical Therapy
• Wasilla Physical Therapy

Providence Outpatient Therapies is located on site at the OPA building on the main floor and is completely independent of OPA.

OPA is the only orthopedic group in Alaska offering on-site athletic training services.  Lynne Young, M.Ed., ATC is one of only a few practicing certified athletic trainers in Alaska.  Lynne has provided athletic training services to school age athletes, weekend warriors, collegiate teams and many professional athletes. Active adults and children with past injuries or concerns about athletic performance or who wish to enhance their athletic performance may schedule a consultation with Lynne and receive full evaluation, training and rehabilitation services. Lynne is also available to work with parents, coaches, athletic directors, and athletic event organizers and planners. 

Examples of athletic training services include:

Nothing is more frustrating to patients and their referring primary care physicians than having difficulty accessing care and information when it is needed.  OPA has established the following systems and services to help alleviate this problem.

Extended Hours Phone Access
The OPA main phone is active from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday and does not close during the noon hour.  Call volume is monitored closely and multiple agents are standing by to take calls and schedule appointments.

Direct Phone Access To Medical Assistants
Patients are given the direct extension phone number to their OPA provider’s dedicated medical assistant.  While medical assistants are frequently assisting other patients, voice messages are returned promptly when left before 4:30pm.  Medical assistants can reach the patient’s surgeon or surgeon on call at any time and respond to special needs.  Patients are counseled to call 911 in case of medical emergencies.

Prompt Access – Walk In Clinic
OPA operates the first and only walk-in, extended hours musculoskeletal clinic in Alaska.  Orthopedic Prompt Access makes it possible for anyone who suffers from a non-life threatening injury or other muscle, bone or joint condition to simply walk in without an appointment or doctor’s referral.  This is a tremendous convenience and cost saving for those who find it difficult to wait for an appointment with an orthopedic specialist during regular hours or too costly and time consuming to wait in a hospital emergency room only to follow up later with an orthopedic physician.  Orthopedic Prompt Access is open between noon and 8:00pm, Monday through Friday, and Noon and 6:00pm on Saturday (closed holidays).

OPA Surgeon On Call
An OPA surgeon is on call at all times. Calls made to the OPA main line after 5:00pm M-F and on weekends and holidays will go directly to the OPA answering service.  Callers may leave a message with the service requesting the OPA surgeon on call contact them.

Referring Provider Hotline
Physicians and other health care professionals may call the OPA Referring Provider Hotline at any time and speak directly with an OPA surgeon.  Whether the call is to refer a patient or simply consult with a surgeon about a condition they wish to treat in their own office, provider calls are always welcome.

To insure optimal continuity of care and a personalized experience, OPA surgeons work in dedicated teams. Each team includes a surgeon, certified orthopedic physician assistant, medical assistant and surgery scheduler.  The surgeon directs the team with each of his patients.

Patients and family members become closely acquainted with each team member and have direct phone access through the medical assistant.  The physician assistant often helps the surgeon during surgery and is involved after surgery on follow up visits to check progress and help and answer questions when the surgeon cannot be available.  Patients are encouraged to contact the team medical assistant to report changes in their condition and inquire regarding test results, medications, scheduling follow up appointments, and other medical questions.

For added patient convenience, OPA offers on-site phlebotomists to carefully draw and prepare blood specimens when needed for laboratory analysis.  OPA is always respectful of both patient and referring provider preferences and directives regarding lab work.   Test results are returned electronically for prompt review and communication with patients.

While OPA physician fees have remained unchanged for many years, insurance premiums, co-payments, hospital fees and other related health care expenses continue to rise in America and often present significant challenges for both patients and providers.  Sometimes, the out-of-pocket expense is an unexpected burden on the patient.  OPA is pleased to offer on-site insurance and financial advisors to counsel and help any patient who is concerned about the costs of obtaining needed care in a timely way.  Whenever possible, OPA will look for solutions that are comfortable for all parties.

All medical records and documents at OPA are created in or converted to an electronic format for optimal ease of use and accessibility.  Electronic records are stored on secure servers and accessed via wireless PC tablets and computers by way of secure local networks and virtual private networks with full security encryption, automatic backup and off site storage.  This enables immediate 24-hour access to patient information by multiple health professionals simultaneously and from any authorized location.   Providers can view and work with records from hospitals, surgi-centers, at home and while traveling out of state. 

Electronic records eliminate the potential for misplacement, loss of information, slow updating and inefficient information sharing associated with paper charts, thus insuring timely and optimal care and treatment on every encounter.  Electronic records also provide the ultimate in HIPAA privacy control and security compliance. Electronic health record technology is widely considered the wave of the future in health care delivery across the globe.

In addition, OPA’s electronic health record system is fully integrated with the image storage system, scheduling system and practice management system (billing) for optimal accuracy, coordination and efficiency in all aspects of the practice.  OPA’s systems are certified by CCHIT (Certification Commission for Health Care Information Technology) and are provided and supported by Sage Health Care, one of the leading health care information systems in America. Click here for information about obtaining copies of your medical records.

The patient check in experience is unique at OPA.  Every effort is made to protect privacy, insure accurate identification and to allow for an efficient, short, and comfortable wait.  Upon check-in, a digital photo is taken (with permission), to insure accurate identification on every encounter.  After essential registration information is obtained and verified, each patient is given a pager to privately signal immediately when the doctor is ready.  This eliminates the need for staff to call out names in the lobby area within public ear shot.  This also makes it possible for patients to relax in the lobby without having to keep eyes and ears on the front desk.  While waiting, patients may enjoy complimentary refreshments, read books and magazines from the library, view the spectacular artwork by local artists, sit by the fireplace, watch the large flat panel television monitor, or enjoy the panoramic view from the 400 square foot lobby window.  The lobby also includes a special area for children to play without disrupting others. If unexpected circumstances delay the visit, patients may take the pager to the main floor lobby and visit the café.