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A physician referral may be needed in order to make an
appointment with a neurologist at the Crystal Lake or
Algonquin ofces. Questions?
CALL
815-455-1800
or
VISIT
www.centegra.org/cpc.
B
Neurology joins
WIDE RANGE
of Centegra Physician Care services
headaches. We see patients who are
experiencing memory loss, confusion,
sleep disorders, numbness and tingling,
or tremors, plus any other condition
a doctor may believe is related to the
nerves or muscles.
HT:
What are the most common
neurological diagnoses?
Dr. Nager:
The most common
diagnoses that I make in the offce
include carpal tunnel syndrome,
pinched nerves, migraines, Parkinson’s
disease, Alzheimer disease, multiple
sclerosis and several types of sleep
disorders. The most common diagnosis
that we see in the hospital is stroke.
Recently, our hospital system received
certifcation as a primary stroke center.
HT:
What types of tests do you give
to patients to help in their diagnoses?
Dr. Nager:
The most common tests
that we perform are EMG (electromyo-
graphy), EEG (electroencephalography)
and evoked potentials. These tests
measure electrical activity in muscles
or the brain and provide information
necessary to pinpoint neurological
conditions.
HT:
What are the benefits to patients
of having neurology services at CPC?
Dr. Nager:
I think the communication
between physicians and the availability
of shared electronic medical records, or
EMRs, create great benefts for patients.
Because we work closely together and
share information, a patient receives
a more rapid diagnosis; avoids repeating
tests; and sidesteps complications,
such as being put on unnecessary
medication.
HT:
What is the role of EMRs in
all this?
Dr. Nager:
Every inpatient and
outpatient visit to Centegra, and every
test and prescription a patient receives
at Centegra, is fully documented in the
patient’s EMR. Among other benefts,
the system raises alerts if there are
any concerns related to medication
interactions or allergies.
HT:
What should potential patients
know about CPC and neurology services?
Dr. Nager:
People should know
that we offer personalized attention to
patients. We care about what we do.
We listen to patients and provide them
with the highest-quality medical care.
We are available to patients on short
notice, regardless of their illness,
and we’re able to provide the type of
care they want and need right here in
McHenry County.
Benjamin Nager,
MD
Hsiong Chen,
MD
Paul Grindstaff,
MD
BLEND EXCELLENT PRIMARY CARE
with accessible specialty care, add in
advanced technology and experienced
physicians, and the result is Centegra
Physician Care (CPC). The wide
range of services offered by CPC
further expanded recently because
of a partnership with the Center for
Neurology that brought this specialty
into the mix.
Benjamin Nager, MD, Director of
the Neurology Section and also a sleep
specialist; Hsiong Chen, MD; and Paul
Grindstaff, MD; all board-certifed
neurologists, provide high-quality
preventive care, diagnosis and treatment
of neurological conditions at CPC.
HealthToday
(HT) recently spoke
with Dr. Nager about the feld of
neurology and the importance of
offering neurological services at CPC.
HT:
What is the role of a neurologist?
Dr. Nager:
Neurologists diagnose
and manage diseases that affect the
brain, spinal cord, nerves or muscles.
We manage patients directly and also
work closely with primary care doctors
to assist them in creating care plans for
patients.
HT:
What symptoms would cause a
patient to be referred to a neurologist?
Dr. Nager:
Patients are referred
to us to explore the causes of back
and neck pain, muscle weakness, or