Home About Us Services Staff Resources Contact Us

Services

Bayside Health Association, Chartered (BHAC) is a multispecialty medical group focusing on Women?s Health, established in 1988 in Lewes, Delaware, with locations in Lewes and Georgetown, Delaware. Bayside Health Association offers services in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Practice, Audiology, Ultrasound and Bone Densitometry. More information about each of these specialties may be obtained by clicking on the link below:

4D Ultrasound New!!
Audiology
Bone Densitometry
Gynecology
Obstetrics
Ultrasound

 

4D Ultrasound

Bayside Health Association now offers our new, highly anticipated, 4D ultrasound services at our Lewes location.

• 4D (four dimensional) ultrasound is a 3D picture in motion which allows you to see your baby as it moves about in the womb. 3D/4D captures a more realistic image of the physical character and appearance of a developing infant.
• The best time to view a baby with 4D ultrasound is between 26 and 32 weeks, but a 3D picture can be obtainable throughout a pregnancy depending on the position of the baby, the size of the mother, the volume of amniotic fluid and the movement of the baby.
• The use of 3D/4D ultrasound for the sole purpose of viewing the fetus, obtaining a picture of the fetus or determining the gender of the fetus without a medical indication is inappropriate and contrary to responsible medical practice. Although there are no confirmed biological effects on patients from exposure to present diagnostic ultrasound instruments, the possibility exists that such biological effects may be identified in the future. Thus ultrasound should be used in a prudent manner to provide medical benefit to the patient. Therefore, Bayside Health will only take 3D/4D images or video clips during the course of a medically necessary, diagnostic ultrasound exam.
• Insurance DOES NOT currently cover the cost of the 3D/4D ultrasound. The cost for a color 3 x 5 image will be $25.00 or you may purchase 3 photos for $50.00. We can also provide a video clip along with the digital still images on a CD for $60.00. The patient is responsible for payment at the time of service prior to receiving the photos or CD.

Audiology

What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is a professional, who diagnoses, treats and manages individuals with hearing loss. Audiologists have received a Master?s or Doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program. Audiologists determine appropriate patient treatment of hearing problems by combining a complete history with a variety of specialized auditory tests. Audiologists also dispense and fit hearing aids as part of a comprehensive program. It is recommended that all hearing screening programs be conducted under the supervision of an audiologist holding the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association?s (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). Bayside Health Association?s Audiologist, Mary Ann C. Gaskin, CCC-A, has completed and maintains her ASHA certification.

For more information on audiologists, you may contact the American Academy of Audiology at www.audiology.org or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at www.asha.org.

 

Hearing Health Quick Test

Audiology Services

Hearing Testing

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Bayside Health Association is pleased to offer a new service to our Audiology patients called Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). OAE testing is often used to screen newborns for hearing problems but can also be used on children and adults to provide ototoxicity monitoring, tinnitus monitoring, detection of central auditory disorders, assist with a differential diagnosis, and monitoring noise induced hearing loss. OAE testing is done by placing a small, soft microphone in the ear canal. Sound is then introduced through a small flexible probe inserted in the ear. The microphone detects the inner ear's response (echo) to the sound when clicks or tones are played into the ear. This test cannot distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. OAE can test for higher frequency loss than traditional audiometric testing.

For more information on OAE, contact our Lewes office at 302-645-4700 or go to www.asha.org.

 

Hearing Aids

Mary Ann Gaskin, CCC-A, Bayside Health Association?s audiologist, can provide complete hearing aid services to clients with hearing problems. We offer both analog and digital hearing aids and Mary Ann uses advanced technology to custom fit each patient?s aid based on his or her needs. She provides education and training so that persons with hearing impairment can benefit fully from their hearing aid.

For more information on hearing aids or to schedule an appointment with Mary Ann please contact our Lewes office at 302-645-4700.

 

Bone Densitometry

Are you at Risk? (PDF)

Osteopenia

The body is constantly making and losing bone. Bone is made using calcium and other minerals obtained from the food that you eat. When the bone making system is in balance, an equal amount of bone is built and reabsorbed. Through changes in a variety of things including hormone levels, medications, activity, and diet, the bone making system can get out of balance. When this happens, the amount of bone lost is greater than the amount of bone made. When the bone starts to become less dense, this is called Osteopenia.

For more information on Osteopenia, please contact your physician. You may also obtain more information from the National Osteoporosis Foundation at www.nof.org.

 

Osteoporosis

If the bone lost continues to be greater than the amount of bone made, what was once osteopenia will develop into osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is when the bones become thin and brittle. The size of the bones does not change, but the structure of the bone changes. These changes dramatically weaken the bones. Weak bones cannot support the body. When this happens, it can lead to fractures of the vertebrae (bones of the spine) and hip fractures from falls. There are more than 1.5 million fractures related to osteoporosis in the United States each year.

For more information on Osteoporosis, please contact your physician. You may also obtain more information from the National Osteoporosis Foundation at www.nof.org.

 

Checking your Bone Density

How is Bone Density Measured?

Bones are measured by their density or thickness. The higher your bone density the better. As your bone density decreases, your risk for fractures associated with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis increases. If you are at risk for Osteoporosis, your physician may order a special test to measure the density of your bones called dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

 

What is DEXA?

DEXA is a safe, quick, easy and painless test used to measure the density in the hip or spine. Bayside Health Association is pleased to offer DEXA testing for our patients in our Lewes office. One of our certified technologists will perform the test, which takes about 15 minutes. Your bone mineral density (BMD) is then compared to the BMD of young, healthy bone. This is called your T-score. This report is available in minutes and will be given directly to your healthcare provider at Bayside Health.

 

What your score means?

The T-score you get from the DEXA scan determines the health of your bones. The National Osteoporosis Foundation and the World Health Organization recommend the following:

T-Score Chart
Above – 1	Normal Bone Mass
-1 to –2.5	Osteopenia (may need treatment)
Below –2.5	Osteoporosis (needs treatment)

These measures are just guidelines. You should discuss your specific test results with your healthcare provider and together determine an appropriate course of treatment.

 

Gynecology

Annual Gynecological Exam

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that females begin having an annual gynecological exam approximately 3 years after 1st sexual intercourse or by the age of 21, whichever comes first.

An annual gynecological exam includes:

• A breast exam – Self breast exams should be done monthly, 7-10 days after a woman’s menstrual period or if no longer menstruating at the same time each month
• Pelvic exam – palpate uterus (womb) and ovaries
• Pap smear – screening test for cervical cancer
• Rectal exam – Fecal occult testing

Depending on your age and history, you may also be referred for:

• Colonoscopy
• Bone Density testing
• Mammogram
• Cholesterol and lipid profile (blood work)
• Nutritionist
• Ultrasound

 

Obstetrics

Bayside Health Association?s Obstetrics department is composed of a variety of healthcare professionals including, physicians, both MD?s and DO?s, certified nurse midwives and a women?s health nurse practitioner. Our diverse group of providers offers complete care including pre-conception, antepartum, labor & delivery and postpartum care. Bayside Health Association is striving to meet the changing needs of the patient and the medical environment, as a result, Bayside Health Association offers a variety of services to prenatal patients in addition to prenatal care:

• Ultrasound
• Non-Stress Test - A non-stress test is a non-invasive test that determines fetal well being by listening and recording changes in the fetal heart rate wit movement. This test may be performed at our office or at Beebe Medical Center.

• Nutritionist - A nutritionist is available in our Lewes office three days a month to offer nutritional counseling including that necessary for gestational diabetics. For more information on Nutrition, please consult your physician. You may also go to www.eatright.com to view information from the American Dietetic Association.

• Childbirth Education
• Prenatal Loss Support Group
• Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Infertility

 

Ultrasound

Bayside Health Association is pleased to offer ultrasound services in our Lewes and Georgetown locations. Our registered technologists have numerous years of experience and are specifically trained in obstetrical and gynecological ultrasound. In addition, our practice has earned certification in Obstetrical and Gynecological Ultrasound from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. This means that our providers and technologists have met and exceeded the high practice and training standards set forth by the AIUM making us among the best.

Because of our high achievement throughout our most recent reaccreditation process (October 2004), our providers have been asked to review the case studies of other practices working to obtain accreditation. This consists of evaluating a variety of obstetrical and gynecological ultrasound cases for thoroughness and proper diagnosis and interpretation. Our providers began doing this in January 2005.

• Gynecological
• Obstetrical

For more information on the ultrasound services provided by Bayside Health Association, please contact our Lewes office at 302-645-4700 or our Georgetown office at 302-856-3597.

Bayside Health Association has a variety of medical professionals available to assist you in meeting your healthcare needs including, physicians, both MD?s and DO?s, Certified Nurse Midwives and a Nurse Practitioner.

 

What is the difference between a MD and a DO?

• Both MD’s and DO’s to medical colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with emphasis in scientific courses.
• Both MD’s and DO’s complete four years of basic medical education
• After medical school, both can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine after completing a residency program (typically two to six years of additional training)
• Both DO’s and MD’s must pass comparable state licensing examinations
• Both DO’s and MD’s practice in a variety of healthcare settings
• Osteopathic medical schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians
• DO’s also practice a “whole person” approach to medicine and focus on preventive health care
• DO’s have extensive training in the musculoskeletal system
• The bottom line is that both types of physicians are equally trained to care for the patient

 

What is a Certified Nurse Midwife?

Certified Nurse Midwives must graduate from an accredited education program and pass a rigorous certification exam. Certified Nurse Midwives are medical professionals licensed by the state in which they practice. They are held to the rigorous standards of practice set by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). In addition, they attend continuing education programs offered by accredited agencies in order to maintain their licensure and certification.

Bayside Health?s Certified Nurse Midwives (link to Carrie, Sally and Ann Marie under providers) are skilled professionals who provide primary health care to women including evaluation, assessment, treatment and referral to a specialist if required. They emphasize health promotion, education and disease prevention and have authority to prescribe medications. In addition, they can perform:

• Normal gynecological services
• Health and wellness counseling
• Pre-conception counseling
• Contraceptive Care
• STD Screening and follow-up
• Care during pregnancy and labor and delivery
• Evaluation and treatment of common infections
• Care before and after menopause
• Screening and referral for other health problems

For more information on Certified Nurse Midwives, please contact our office or you may visit the American College of Nurse Midwifery online at www.acnm.org.

 

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with additional specialized education. This includes advanced nursing and selected medical studies as well as intensive clinical experience specific to the nurse practitioner?s area of practice. Nurse practitioners are licensed as RN?s and Advanced Practice Nurses(APN) in the state in which he or she practices. In addition, nurse practitioners may be nationally certified and have authority to prescribe medications. Bayside Health?s Nurse Practitioner provides the following services:

• Normal gynecological services
• Health and wellness counseling
• Pre-conception counseling
• Contraceptive Care
• STD Screening and follow-up
• Care during pregnancy
• Evaluation and treatment of common infections
• Care before and after menopause
• Screening and referral for other health problems