In the event of an emergency, call 911. For urgent
calls after hours, please call the office at (253) 939-3604, and follow the instructions to contact the on-call physician via the answering service. If your concern can wait until morning, you may stay on the line to leave a voice mail message, or call back after 8 AM.

This page contains information about office policies, and health maintenance exams (including sports, Scouting, DOT, and FAA exams), as well as procedures.

For links to online information sources about your health, click on the Patient Ed/Links button in the navigation bar at the left side of this window.

To Make an Appointment

Call the office, (253) 939-3604, during normal business hours. Please give the receptionist accurate information about your concern or problem so we may schedule time appropriately. We can usually see acute illnesses within 24 hours, although we might be unable to schedule you with your regular doctor on short notice. We will make sure that you are well taken care of and your needs addressed in a timely fashion.

Prescription Refills

Please call your pharmacy, and they will contact the office by fax or phone. Refills are rarely emergencies, and, whenever possible, should be dealt with during regular business hours. Response times may take up to 48 hours to get the prescription back to the pharmacy.  It the policy of AFMC that no pain medication, tranquilizer prescriptions or controlled substances will be called in by the on-call physician.

Cancellations

Please call 24 hours in advance to cancel an appointment. Appointments not canceled in advance are subject to a service charge.

Health Maintenance Exams (Complete Physicals)

Women

Women from the age of 18 or the start of sexual activity should have an exam every year. At this exam, preventative health issues such as diet and exercise may be addressed. Age appropriate screening tests such as the PAP smear and mammogram will be arranged or performed. For postmenopausal women, this visit will also deal with issues such as hormone replacement, risk factors for heart disease, and risk factors for osteoporosis.

Men

Men require regular exams less frequently. One rule of thumb is every 5 years in your 20s, every 3-4 years through your 30s, every other year in your 40s, and then every 1-2 years, based on your health. At this exam, preventative health issues such as diet and exercise may be addressed. Age appropriate screening tests such as PSA or colonoscopy will be arranged or performed.

Sports Physicals

Area schools will require current physical examinations after July 1 preceding the academic year for participation. We do many of these exams, and late summer is particularly busy. Especially if the student is interested in fall or winter sports such as football and basketball, schedule your appointment early. Much of this visit centers around an accurate family history, so plan on a parent knowledgeable about both sides of the family attending with the student.  Please complete the patient portion of the form provided by WIAA and bring it with you to the appointment.

Scouting Physicals

Information regarding Boy Scouts of America physicals are available from the Chief Seattle Council web site or from our site by clicking the link. Physicals are required annually for all Wood Badge staff and participants, all participants in high-adventure activities, and all persons over 40 attending an event which requires a medical form.  Also, a physical  is required every 36 months for all participants under 40 years of age at activities over 72 hours. Please complete the patient portion of the form and bring it with you to your appointment.

Aviation Physicals

Class 2 and Class 3 FAA physical exams are performed in our office by Dr. Criddle.     Please complete the patient portion of the form and bring it with you to your appointment.  If you have any questions, please leave the answers blank and ask the physician for assistance.

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