Patient Resources

Everything you need to manage your healthcare conveniently and effectively.

Patient Portal

Your secure online hub for managing your healthcare 24/7.

Access your portal to:

Schedule and manage appointments
View test results as soon as they're available
Request prescription refills
Send secure messages to our office
Update your medical history and medications
Review visit summaries and care plans
Pay bills online
Download forms and health information
View immunization records

First time using the portal? You'll receive login credentials after your first visit via email. If you need help accessing your account, call us at (224) 442-1230.

[LOGIN TO PATIENT PORTAL] [PORTAL REGISTRATION GUIDE]

Prescription Refills

How to request refills:

Option 1: Patient Portal (Fastest)

Log in to your patient portal
Go to "Medications"
Click "Request Refill" next to the medication you need
We'll process within 48 hours

Option 2: Phone

Call (224) 442-1230
Provide your name, date of birth, medication name, and pharmacy
Allow 48 hours for processing

Option 3: Through Your Pharmacy

Ask your pharmacy to send a refill request
We'll respond within 48 hours

Refill Tips:

Request refills before you run out (at least 5 days early)
Keep an updated list of all your medications
Let us know if you're having side effects or concerns
Some medications require an office visit before refills

Controlled substances (like narcotics, stimulants, benzodiazepines) require an office visit every 3 months per state law.

Test Results

How you'll receive results:

Normal Results:

Available in patient portal within 24-48 hours
You'll receive a message notification
No further action needed unless noted

Abnormal Results:

We'll call you personally within 2-3 business days
Discussion of findings and next steps
Follow-up appointment scheduled if needed

All results are discussed with you—we never leave you wondering what your tests mean.

Understanding your results: Lab reports can look confusing with numbers and ranges. During your follow-up, we'll explain in plain language what everything means and whether any action is needed.

Forms & Downloads

Download commonly needed forms:

Prefer to complete online? Most forms are available through the patient portal.

After-Hours Care

Our office hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM [Add evening/weekend hours if applicable]

What if I need care after hours?

For urgent but non-emergency situations:

Call our main number: (224) 442-1230
You'll reach our answering service
We'll return your call as soon as possible
Callback typically within 1 hour

Examples of urgent situations:

High fever (over 103°F)
Severe pain
Vomiting/diarrhea with dehydration concerns
Medication side effects
Worsening chronic condition symptoms

For EMERGENCIES, always call 911 or go to the nearest ER:

Chest pain or pressure
Difficulty breathing
Severe bleeding
Loss of consciousness
Stroke symptoms (facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
Severe allergic reactions
Suicidal thoughts
Severe injuries

Nurse hotline: Most insurance companies offer a 24/7 nurse advice line—check your insurance card for the number.

Urgent care vs. Emergency Room:

Urgent care for: Minor injuries, sprains, minor burns, stitches, cold/flu when we're closed
Emergency room for: Life-threatening conditions, severe injuries, chest pain, stroke, severe breathing problems

When to Call vs. Portal Message

Use patient portal messages for:

Non-urgent questions
Prescription refill requests
Appointment scheduling questions
Administrative questions
Follow-up from recent visit

Call our office for:

Urgent medical concerns
Same-day appointment needs
Prescription issues (pharmacy out of stock, etc.)
Acute illness symptoms
Questions that need immediate response

Call 911 for:

Any life-threatening emergency

We typically respond to portal messages within 1 business day (24 hours Monday-Friday).

Medication Information

Taking medications safely:

Important tips:

Take exactly as prescribed
Don't skip doses even if you feel better
Don't stop medications without talking to us first
Keep an updated list of all medications (including over-the-counter and supplements)
Know what each medication is for
Be aware of potential side effects
Store medications properly (check label for storage instructions)
Dispose of expired medications safely

Drug interactions: Always tell us about ALL medications you're taking, including:

Prescription medications from other doctors
Over-the-counter medications
Vitamins and supplements
Herbal remedies

Save money on prescriptions:

Ask about generic alternatives (usually much cheaper)
Use GoodRx or other discount programs if you're paying out-of-pocket
Check if your medication has a patient assistance program
Some pharmacies offer $4 generic programs
We can help you find affordable options

Medication disposal: Don't flush medications or throw them in the trash. Drop off expired/unused medications at:

Oak Park Police Department (prescription drug take-back box)
[Local pharmacy names if they have disposal programs]
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days (twice yearly)

Health Education & Resources

Reliable health information sources:

CDC (Centers for Disease Control): www.cdc.gov
NIH (National Institutes of Health): www.nih.gov
MedlinePlus: medlineplus.gov (excellent patient-friendly health library)
American Heart Association: www.heart.org
American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org
Mayo Clinic Patient Information: www.mayoclinic.org

Be cautious with:

Random websites without credible sources
Social media health advice
Sponsored content disguised as medical advice
"Miracle cures" or treatments that sound too good to be true

When in doubt, ask us! We're happy to review any health information you find and discuss whether it's credible and appropriate for you.

Preparing for Your Visit

Get the most out of your appointment:

Before your visit:

Write down your questions and concerns
Update your medication list
Note any symptoms (when they started, severity, what makes them better/worse)
Bring relevant medical records if seeing us for the first time
Complete any pre-visit forms online

During your visit:

Be honest and thorough—we can't help what we don't know about
Ask questions if you don't understand something
Take notes or bring someone to help remember information
Discuss all your concerns, even if they seem minor
Tell us about any medications you've had trouble tolerating

After your visit:

Review visit summary in patient portal
Follow the care plan we discussed
Schedule follow-up appointments before leaving
Fill prescriptions promptly
Contact us if anything is unclear or if new symptoms develop

Medical Records

Requesting your medical records:

You have the right to access your complete medical records at any time.

How to request:

Complete a Release of Medical Records form (available at office or download above)
Specify which records you need and date range
Indicate where records should be sent
Allow 5-7 business days for processing

Fees:

Electronic records sent to you or another provider: Usually free
Paper copies: May incur copying fees per state regulations
Records needed for legal purposes: May have additional fees

Records for new providers: Moving or seeing a specialist? We're happy to send your records. Just complete the authorization form and we'll handle the rest.

Local Resources

Oak Park Area Healthcare Resources:

Emergency Care:

Rush Oak Park Hospital: 520 S Maple Ave, Oak Park | (708) 383-9300
Loyola University Medical Center: 2160 S 1st Ave, Maywood | (708) 216-9000

Urgent Care:

Edward-Elmhurst Immediate Care 932 Lake St #300 (630) 527-3645

Pharmacies:

Sears Pharmacy 1003 Madison St Oak Park IL 60302 (708) 386-6304
Walgreens Oak Park: 7251 Lake St River Forest IL (708) 366-9960
CVS Oak Park: 345 Madison Oak Park (708) 386-2157
Jewel-Osco Pharmacy: 7525 W Lake St River Forest (708) 771-0044

Mental Health Services:

Oak Park Behavioral Medicine: (312) 725-6175
Pillars Community Health: (708) 748-5277
Thrive Crisis Team: (708) 383-7500
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (24/7 crisis support)

Community Health Resources:

Oak Park Health Department: (708) 358-5480
Access DuPage (free/low-cost care): (630) 682-7400
Illinois Department of Public Health: [Website]

Support Services:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I schedule an appointment? A: Book online 24/7 through our website, call us at (224) 442-1230 during business hours, or schedule through the patient portal.

Q: What should I do if I need to cancel? A: Call us at (224) 442-1230 or cancel through the patient portal. Please give 24 hours notice if possible.

Q: How long does it take to get test results? A: Most lab results are available in 24-48 hours. More specialized tests may take longer. We'll contact you with all results.

Q: Can I email the office with questions? A: For secure communication, please use the patient portal messaging system rather than regular email. Email is not HIPAA-compliant for medical information.

Q: Do you have parking? A: Yes, free parking is available for one hour in the Holley Court Garage.

Q: Are you accessible by public transit? A: Yes, we're easily accessible via the CTA Green Line Oak Park station, just .3miles/6min walk away.

Q: Can family members attend appointments with me? A: Absolutely! You're welcome to bring someone to any appointment.

Q: Do you treat children? A: We provide care for adults ages 18 and older

Q: What if I disagree with your recommendation? A: Healthcare is collaborative. If you have concerns about a recommendation, let's discuss it. We'll explain the reasoning and explore alternatives together.