Multicare Health System

General Practice

Multicare Health System is a General Practice practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in preventing, diagnosing, and treating physical and psychological conditions for patients of all ages. General Practice Doctors at Multicare Health System perform medical history analysis, screenings, and non-surgical procedures to address a wide range of common medical conditions. General Practice is a medical specialty focused on disease prevention and general maintenance of patients' whole health. Significant diseases and conditions treated at General Practice practices include the common cold, strep throat, bronchitis, the flu, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by General Practice practices include physical exams, diagnostic exams (like urine, stool, or blood tests), immunizations, emergency care, and specialist referrals.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry)

Multicare Health System is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry) practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in treating medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Physiatrists at Multicare Health System perform diagnostic imaging, testing, assessment, and treatment of disorders and injuries related to chronic joint pain, spinal injury, athletic injury, congenital birth defect, traumatic injury, and age-related pain conditions. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry) is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses related to muscle, joint spine, nerve, bone, and neurological disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry) practices include spinal cord injury, pulled and torn muscles, nerve disorders, fibromyalgia, athletic injury, chronic joint and muscle pain, arthritis, and other disorders affecting the body's muscles, joints, and nerves. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry) practices include CT, x-ray, and MRI imaging, nerve conduction testing, spinal injections, prolotherapy, nerve and muscle biopsy, acupuncture, fitting of prosthetics and orthotics, impairment assessment, patient and parent education, and ultrasound guided corrective procedures.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and treating patients with physical disabilities. These disabilities may arise from conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system such as neck and back pain, sports injuries, or other painful conditions affecting the limbs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Alternatively, the disabilities may result from neurological trauma or disease such as spinal cord injury, head injury or stroke. A physician certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation is often called a physiatrist. The primary goal of the physiatrist is to achieve maximal restoration of physical, psychological, social and vocational function through comprehensive rehabilitation. Pain management is often an important part of the role of the physiatrist. For diagnosis and evaluation, a physiatrist may include the techniques of electromyography to supplement the standard history, physical, x-ray and laboratory examinations. The physiatrist has expertise in the appropriate use of therapeutic exercise, prosthetics (artificial limbs), orthotics and mechanical and electrical devices.

Internal Medicine

Multicare Health System is an Internal Medicine practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Internists specialize in puzzling medical problems and in the ongoing care of chronic illnesses. Internists also specialize in preventing disease by promoting health, and are trained to manage multisystem disease conditions that single-organ-disease specialists may not be trained to address. Internal Medicine Doctors at Multicare Health System perform assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment therapies for diseases and disorders in adult patients. Internal Medicine is a medical specialty focused on study, prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of short and long term multi-organ conditions. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Internal Medicine practices include cold and flu, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic lung disease. Internists generally act as personal physicians and often develop long-term relationships with their patients. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Internal Medicine practices include medical history reviews, physical exams, blood tests, scans, and other diagnostic tests, as well as specialist referrals. Internists may choose to practice only in the hospital, only in an outpatient clinic, or in both.

A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults and the elderly. Internists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infections and diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints and digestive, respiratory and vascular systems. They are also trained in the essentials of primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs.

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Multicare Health System is an Obstetrics & Gynecology practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in treating ailments of the reproductive system and related bowel, bladder, and urinary systems, as well as managing pregancy and child birthing. Obstetricians & Gynecologists at Multicare Health System perform blood tests, pelvic exams, uterine and breast cancer screenings, birth control management, and reproductive system surgery. Obstetrics & Gynecology is care of a woman's reproductive health from the onset of puberty through menopause and beyond. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Obstetrics & Gynecology practices include yeast infections, bacterial infections, irregular menstruation, painful intercourse, discomfort of uterus, genitals, or breasts, infertility, and prolapse of the pelvic organs. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Obstetrics & Gynecology practices include annual pap test and pelvic exam, mamogram prescription, infertility treatment, birth control management, tubal ligation (permanent form of birth control), hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), salpingectomy (removal of the fallopian tubes) or cone biopsy (removal of precancerous cells in the cervix identified during a pap test).

An obstetrician/gynecologist possesses special knowledge, skills and professional capability in the medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders. This physician serves as a consultant to other physicians and as a primary physician for women.

Neurosurgery

Multicare Health System is a Neurosurgery practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing and surgically treating disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. Neurosurgeons at Multicare Health System perform surgery on the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves to remove tumors, relieve chronic pain and treat wounds, vascular disorders and diseases such as Parkinson's and epilepsy. Neurosurgery is the medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerve diseases and disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Neurosurgery practices include aneurysms, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), brain tumors, carotid artery blockage, stenosiscervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) disorders, spinal cord injury, and epilepsy. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Neurosurgery practices include cortical mapping, cerebrovascular surgery, functional neurosurgery, peripheral nerve surgery, radiosurgery, skull base surgery, spine surgery, stereotactic neurosurgery, trauma surgery, and surgical implantation of deep brain stimulators to treat Parkinson Disease and certain type of tremors.

A neurological surgeon provides the operative and non-operative management (i.e., prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care, and rehabilitation) of disorders of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their supporting structures and vascular supply; the evaluation and treatment of pathological processes which modify function or activity of the nervous system; and the operative and non-operative management of pain. A neurological surgeon treats patients with disorders of the nervous system; disorders of the brain, meninges, skull, and their blood supply, including the extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries; disorders of the pituitary gland; disorders of the spinal cord, meninges, and vertebral column, including those which may require treatment by spinal fusion or instrumentation; and disorders of the cranial and spinal nerves throughout their distribution.

Orthopedic Surgery

Multicare Health System is an Orthopedic Surgery practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in preoperative, operative, and postoperative treatments and diagnostics of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. Orthopedic Surgeons at Multicare Health System perform non-surgical and surgical treatments of musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunctions. Orthopedic Surgery is the branch of surgery that treats musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders both surgically and nonsurgically. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Orthopedic Surgery practices include sports injuries, back pain, ruptured disks and spinal stenosis, bone tumors, carpal tunnel, hand arthritis and hand injuries, club foot, bow legs and hip dysplasia, orthopaedic trauma, limb lengthening, Achilles tendon injuries, bunions and foot and ankle injuries, as well as osteoporosis and arthritis. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Orthopedic Surgery practices include knee arthroscopy and meniscectomy, shoulder arthroscopy and decompression, carpal tunnel release, knee arthroscopy and chondroplasty, removal of support implant, knee arthroscopy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, knee replacement, repair of femoral neck fracture, repair of trochanteric fracture, debridement of skin/muscle/bone/fracture, knee arthroscopy repair of both meniscis, hip replacement, shoulder arthroscopy/distal clavicle excision, repair of rotator cuff tendon, repair fracture of radius (bone)/ulna, laminectomy, repair of ankle fracture (bimalleolar type), shoulder arthroscopy and debridement, lumbar spinal fusion, repair fracture of the distal part of radius, low back intervertebral disc surgery, incise finger tendon sheath, repair of ankle fracture (fibula), repair of femoral shaft fracture, and repair of trochanteric fracture.

An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated structures by medical, surgical and physical means. An orthopaedic surgeon is involved with the care of patients whose musculoskeletal problems include congenital deformities, trauma, infections, tumors, metabolic disturbances of the musculoskeletal system, deformities, injuries and degenerative diseases of the spine, hands, feet, knee, hip, shoulder and elbow in children and adults. An orthopaedic surgeon is also concerned with primary and secondary muscular problems and the effects of central or peripheral nervous system lesions of the musculoskeletal system.

Pediatrics

Multicare Health System is a Pediatrics practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing, preventing, and treating childhood illnesses. Pediatricians at Multicare Health System perform medical diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions affecting young people from infants to teenagers. Pediatrics is a medical specialty focusing on children's health. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Pediatrics practices include ear, sinus, and throat infections, food allergies and intolerances, urinary tract infections, skin infections, bronchitis, diarrhea, vomiting, pinkeye, and skin rashes. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Pediatrics practices include physical examinations, diagnosing childhood illnesses, administering vaccines, prescribing medication, providing education about childhood health, safety, and nutrition, and referring your child to specialists if necessary.

A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectrum of health services ranging from preventive healthcare to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. A pediatrician deals with biological, social and environmental influences on the developing child, and with the impact of disease and dysfunction on development.

Emergency Medicine

Multicare Health System is an Emergency Medicine practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in addressing urgent illnesses and injuries in patients of all ages. Emergency Medicine Doctors at Multicare Health System perform in trauma centers, intensive care units, and emergency rooms. Emergency Medicine is the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions that require immediate attention. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Emergency Medicine practices include severe injuries, trauma, sepsis, burns, acute coronary syndrome, poisoning, heart attack, and stroke. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Emergency Medicine practices include CPR, ECG, projection radiography, CT scan, x-ray, blood testing, suturing, inserting chest tubs, setting bones, and admitting patients into hospitals.

An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospital setting by directing emergency medical technicians and in the emergency department. The emergency physician provides immediate recognition, evaluation, care, stabilization and disposition of a generally diversified population of adult and pediatric patients in response to acute illness and injury.

Psychiatry

Multicare Health System is a Psychiatry practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing and treating people with mental illness. Psychiatrists at Multicare Health System perform mental health assessment, helps patients manage long-term mental health conditions, offers medical treatment and therapy for a wide variety of psychological disorders, provides patient and parent education, and offers referrals to other medical specialists as needed. Psychiatry is a medical specialty centered on diagnosing and treating patients suffering from a wide variety of mental illnesses and cognitive disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Psychiatry practices include anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), delusional thought processes, self-harm disorders, eating disorders, specific phobias, drug, alcohol, and gambling addiction, and mood disorders. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Psychiatry practices include mental health evaluation and diagnosis, psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), electroconvulsive therapy, medication prescription, exposure therapy, grief counseling, marriage counseling, and referral to other specialists as needed.

A Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders and adjustment disorders. Biologic, psychological, and social components of illnesses are explored and understood in treatment of the whole person. Tools used may include diagnostic laboratory tests, prescribed medications, evaluation and treatment of psychological and interpersonal problems with individuals and families, and intervention for coping with stress, crises, and other problems.

Body Imaging Radiology

Multicare Health System is a Body Imaging Radiology practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in detecting infections and diseases in major organs. Body Imaging Radiologist / Roentgenologists at Multicare Health System perform diagnostic procedures to create images of internal organs. Body Imaging Radiology is the diagnosis of illnesses in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis with radiation imaging. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Body Imaging Radiology practices include kidney stones, tuberculosis, and cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Body Imaging Radiology practices include x-ray, MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound.

A Radiology doctor of Osteopathy that specializes in Body Imaging.

Surgery

Multicare Health System is a Surgery practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in performing surgical procedures within a wide variety of specialties. Surgeons at Multicare Health System perform surgical operations to prevent or remedy illness, injury, or dysfunction relating to patient anatomy. Surgery is a medical specialty focusing on surgical operations performed as emergency or elective procedures. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Surgery practices include appendicitis, heart disease, pancreatitis, traumatic injury, cancer, congenital birth defect, oral disease or dysfunction, gallbladder disease, kidney stones, chronic back, neck, or joint pain, chronic sinus infection, brain disorders, and eye injury or illness. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Surgery practices include laboratory testing, surgical procedures, post-operative care, patient education, anesthesia administration, and pre-and post-operative medication prescription.

A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of surgical conditions in the following areas: alimentary tract; abdomen; breast, skin and soft tissue; endocrine system; head and neck surgery; pediatric surgery; surgical critical care; surgical oncology; trauma and burns; and vascular surgery. General surgeons increasingly provide care through the use of minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques. Many general surgeons also possess expertise in transplantation surgery, plastic surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

Urology

Multicare Health System is a Urology practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing and treating disease and dysfunction of the urinary tract. Urologists at Multicare Health System perform physical examinations, urine testing, prostate examinations, and patient education. Urology is a medical specialty dealing with the urinary tract. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Urology practices include prostate gland enlargement and infection, erectile dysfunction (ED), kidney disease, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, cancer of the kidneys, bladder, penis, testicles, and prostate, interstitial cystitis, urinary incontinence, and prostatitis. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Urology practices include x-ray, MRI, ultrasound, and CT imaging, urine testing, blood testing, digital prostate exam, tissue biopsy, urodynamic bladder testing, patient education, nutritional recommendations, medication prescription, and referral to other specialists as needed.

A urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has comprehensive knowledge of and skills in endoscopic, percutaneous and open surgery of congenital and acquired conditions of the urinary and reproductive systems and their contiguous structures.

Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery

Multicare Health System is a Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing and surgically treating vascular disorders of the chest cavity. Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgeons at Multicare Health System perform thoracic surgery, cancer treatment, disorder assessment, and post-operative patient care. Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery is a medical specialty focused on surgically treating vascular conditions of the chest. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery practices include ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrest, coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease, atrial septal defect, esophageal cancer, and lung cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery practices include x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, and CT imaging, tissue biopsy, surgical repair of thoracic arteries and blood vessels, heart transplant, emergency heart surgery, medication prescription, patient education, and post-operative care.

A thoracic surgeon provides the operative, perioperative and critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. Included is the surgical care of coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the trachea, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum and diseases of the diaphragm. The management of the airway and injuries of the chest is within the scope of the specialty.

Plastic Surgery

Multicare Health System is a Plastic Surgery practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in performing repair, reconstruction, or replacement surgery on external parts of the body. Plastic Surgeons at Multicare Health System perform surgical procedures that enhance physical appearance, reduce or eliminate physical deformity, or improve physical function. Plastic Surgery is a medical specialty focused on repairing, reconstructing, or replacing physical defects involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, cranial and jaw structures, hand, extremities, breast and abdomen, and external genitalia. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Plastic Surgery practices include post-operative breast cancer, cleft lip or palate, post-operative skin cancer, skin lesions, replant amputation, burn injury, post-weight loss skin laxity, crow's feet, skin wrinkles, carpal tunnel syndrome, and obesity. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Plastic Surgery practices include breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, facelift, lip augmentation, tummy tuck, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), Botox injection, laser skin resurfacing, liposuction, and eye lift.

A plastic surgeon deals with the repair, reconstruction or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk and external genitalia or cosmetic enhancement of these areas of the body. Cosmetic surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon uses cosmetic surgical principles to both improve overall appearance and to optimize the outcome of reconstructive procedures. The surgeon uses aesthetic surgical principles not only to improve undesirable qualities of normal structures but in all reconstructive procedures as well.

Family Medicine

Multicare Health System is a Family Medicine practice in Tacoma, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in family-centric healthcare. Family Medicine Doctors at Multicare Health System perform medical history analysis, diagnostics, and treatments for a wide variety of dysfunctions, conditions, and injuries. Family Medicine is a medical specialty devoted to the medical care of the family unit. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Family Medicine practices include cold and flu, asthma and allergies, ear and eye infections, yeast infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, hormone imbalance, nutritional imbalance, stress and depression, muscle tears and sprains, and sexually transmitted diseases. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Family Medicine practices include annual exams, immunizations, medication refills, hormone level testing, cardiovascular testing, pap smears and genital exams, specialist referrals, and patient education.

Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadth which integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The scope of family medicine is not limited by age, sex, organ system, or disease entity.