Hematology Referrals
You must have a referral from another healthcare provider to see a hematologist. Our patients are usually referred to us by:
- Primary care providers
- Maternity providers (especially patients who eat a vegan or vegetarian diet and have low iron levels)
- Gastrointestinal (GI), pulmonary, neurological and heart specialists
- Other specialists that require clearance for surgery
Give us a call if you need help with the referral process. After you have a referral, you can schedule an appointment by phone at 650-988-8338. Current El Camino Health patients can request an appointment through the myCare patient portal.
How to Prepare for a Hematology Appointment
When you contact the hematology department at El Camino Health as a new patient, you’re immediately connected with a new patient coordinator to guide you through each step in the process. They do an initial intake, where they collect information about you, such as:
- Your referring healthcare provider, which may be your primary care provider, maternity provider (OB/GYN) or another specialist
- Your health insurance details
- Symptoms or concerns
The new patient coordinator confirms that your insurance is accepted. They also request any necessary medical information or test results from your current healthcare providers. Even if we don’t have this information yet, we’ll schedule your hematology consult appointment. We try to schedule most patients within 48 hours.
What to Expect at Your First Hematology Appointment
Your first hematology appointment will happen at one of two locations within our Cancer Center. Our friendly staff greets you at the door. A medical assistant guides you to a private exam room to take your vital signs, height and weight. Then, you meet with the nurse coordinator, followed by the hematologist.
How Long Does a Hematology Appointment Take?
Your first hematology appointment usually lasts about 30 minutes.
What Does a Hematologist Do at Your First Visit?
Your hematologist goes through your medical history with you and reviews any health issues. This information helps them figure out which blood tests may be helpful for understanding more about your current condition. Usually, your physician orders diagnostic tests.
In urgent cases, you may be asked to have a blood test before your consult visit, so you can start treatment immediately. In most cases, you’ll provide a blood sample at your consult appointment or at a follow-up visit.
What Happens After the First Hematology Appointment?
We typically schedule your next hematology appointment within a week of your consult, unless your needs are more urgent. Once you’re established as a patient at El Camino Health, you can view any lab test results in myCare, our MyChart patient portal. At your follow-up appointment, your hematologist reviews the results and discusses your treatment options or need for more testing.
Hematology Treatments
Your hematology treatment plan is always unique to you. We offer a variety of hematology treatment options that range in complexity. You also have access to an entire hematology support team. You may work with a dietitian, social worker, medical oncologist or psychologist as needed.
Future Hematology Visits at El Camino Health
To schedule future appointments, call 650-988-8338 or request a visit in myCare. Learn what to expect while you’re here at El Camino Health.