Mason General Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
Mason General Hospital Focuses on Board-Certified Physicians - So what does that mean?
Many people have wondered what it means when a physician’s name is followed by the term, “Board Certified.” For those of us who have heard of this term and didn’t know exactly what it meant, a doctor is board-certified when he or she has taken additional training to ‘specialize’ in a certain area of medicine. This usually means at least three years of residency training in a post-graduate institutional program in their area of specialization.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is the recognized standard-setting organization for certifying a physician who has met the training and examination requirements for certification by the boards they represent. It is comprised of 24 primary medical specialty boards and six associate members, including the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the Association of Medical Colleges, and the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Medical specialty boards expect very high standards of training and performance that require applicants to take a rigid examination to become certified. Physicians who complete all the requirements to become certified are considered ‘board-eligible’ until they take the examination to make them ‘board-certified’.
There are currently 37 medical specialties and about 75 subspecialties that receive board certification from the ABMS, a number that has increased greatly over the past ten years. Most certificates expire within seven to ten years, and require a re-examination to renew their status.
When the designation, ‘Board Certified’ appears after a physician’s name, there is an assurance that a high standard of training and skill has been attained, which says a lot for the quality of healthcare you are being offered. Mason General Hospital is pleased that their physicians are either board certified or board eligible. Just another way of saying, “Where caring counts. Feel the difference.”
I am coming to Mason General Hospital as a patient – now what do I do?
When you arrive at Mason General Hospital for outpatient services – surgery, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, ER, to name a few – it is best (and closest) to park your car in the parking area outside of the hospital’s MAIN ENTRANCE (north end of the building).
As you enter the hospital, you will find a small desk (on your left) just inside the door. On top of the desk you will see a ticket dispenser. Please choose the service you will be needing (i.e., laboratory, diagnostic imaging, etc.) or select the service closest to what you need. Then press the button, and a ticket will be dispensed for you. Next, take the ticket, which has a number on it, and have a seat in the waiting area (do not lose your ticket). You will be called by number to one of the booths, where you will be registered for the service(s) you need. Even if you have pre-scheduled an appointment, you will need to register at one of these booths before proceeding to the appropriate outpatient service area. The registrar will direct you to your destination.
Remember to:
- Bring your ID and Insurance Cards, along with any orders that you received from your physicians.
- Ask your physician if you need to fast, prior to having any lab testing done, and for how long you need to fast.
We want to save you time and steps, so following the above instructions will speed up your visit and get you on your way much quicker.