What is a vascular lab?
The first thing you need to understand is what a certified vascular lab is and what procedures they perform. A vascular lab deals with veins and arteries. They can administer a variety of tests and screenings to identify diseases that may affect blood flow through the body.
Certified surgeons can identify Carotid Artery disease, which causes stroke risk, and Peripheral Arterial Disease, where blocked arteries increase heart disease risk, among others. It is imperative to make sure the one you choose is certified. A qualified vascular lab will have surgeons with board-certified training and the experience needed to read screenings and provide treatment correctly.
What could happen at an uncertified vein center?
A corrupt vein center may be in it for the money and not your health. Some offices will use a bait and switch method to sell you unnecessary treatment. They may offer highly discounted spider vein treatments pre-consultation and upon consultation say a full Doppler ultrasound must be done to begin treatment. This screening is not necessary for spider vein treatment, but most patients don’t know this and choose to trust the doctor and order the extra testing.
In some cases, the patient receives a Falsified Doppler ultrasound report and is informed they will need more invasive treatments that go well beyond spider veins. A corrupt office may send falsified photos and reports to collect on procedures that are covered by insurance. Spider veins are not covered unless they include other complications like bleeding.
The worst scenarios involve a doctor removing healthy veins, the ones that could later be used in a heart bypass surgery. They do this to collect insurance money from more lucrative procedures, like radiofrequency ablation.
How do you verify it is a certified vascular lab?
- Check the certifications of the surgeons at Certification Matters.
- Do they offer discounts, like Groupon? Discounts can be a telltale sign that they aren’t offering the best services. Great doctors don’t need to lure in clients, referrals via word of mouth keep great vascular surgeons busy.
- Check reviews! Real reviews alone can tell you a great deal about the experience and competence of the doctor you are considering for your vein treatments.
- Make sure your doctor’s primary focus and credentials are in the vascular field of medicine.
What can a certified vascular lab surgeon treat?
A certified vascular lab will have surgeons with the expertise to identify and treat a wide range of vascular ailments. They can offer solutions for cosmetic vein issues like spider veins along with more severe conditions that a non-certified technician is not equipped to treat. A Board Certified Vascular Surgeon can accurately diagnose findings from vascular imaging to ensure you are receiving the appropriate treatment. Some conditions include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, swollen legs, and venous ulcers.
If you need an expert team of board-certified surgeons, contact The Vein Centre in Tennessee.
Every patient’s care is our utmost concern, and your experience is top priority!