Peachtree City Fire & EMS

Yearly Physicals Information

Pretesting Information

Dr. Springston will be performing the physicals through her practice, HealthSprings Direct, this year and in the future. We move into our new office space at 4000 Shakerag Hill, PTC 30269 on March 1st and physicals start on March 8th. Please be patient with the process as we work to establish the most efficient system possible this year. Chief Baggett and the battalion chiefs will be assigning days/times for your physical in the months of May and June. When this date is assigned, you will get a confirmation email with the details as well as a link to complete a Google Forms survey that will account for all of your pre-physical paperwork. You will also get a link to enroll in the HealthSprings Direct portal where you can message Dr. Springston or staff regarding your appointment or any questions you might have. Please note: Dr. Springston does not have a PTC email as a contractor with the city.

*** Fill out your forms prior to your physical date ***

Access Form

Lab Testing Dates and Times

We will be doing FASTING lab blood draws on the following three dates:

  • Friday, April 21st at STATION 82 from 8am-12pm
  • Saturday, April 22nd at STATION 81 from 8am-12pm
  • Sunday, April 23rd at STATION 81 from 8am-12pm

Blood drawn in order of arrival

FASTING means do not have calories or artificial sweeteners from midnight the night prior to your blood draw. Unsweet tea, black coffee, water and bone broth are ok to have during a period of fasting.

Individuals over the age of 45 years will receive a pack of 3 occult blood testing cards. There will be instructions included, but plan ahead enough to provide three different stool samples for each card within 10 days of your physical. The easiest way to get a stool sample without it touching the water is with a plastic grocery bag with the handles tucked and secured between the toilet seat and bowl. Use the included wood sticks to smear the samples as directed. Please label your cards and follow the rest of the directions included. Link to Hemacult Instructions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KpCwlJ8eWqP2lJ0sNzx_SID7ESJoKbsbswY0IpLvdAI/edit?usp=sharing

 

Day of Your Appointment

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Complete your Google Form 7 DAYS PRIOR TO your appointment. Your appointment will be rescheduled if you haven’t finished your form prior to arriving. It will take approximately 30-40 minutes to do the forms.

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Bring your ID and insurance information (in case further testing is ordered based on findings) to scan at your visit.
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BRING YOUR GLASSES or CONTACTS with you to your physical – we check your eyesight and we want to know that you can see while driving huge trucks in our city
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For those over 45 years of age, bring your three stool cards with samples completed.

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We will be collecting urine for routine testing, so be well hydrated. If you need to go to the bathroom when you arrive, let the receptionist know and she’ll get you a cup for your sample.
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The cardiopulmonary exercise testing is the same as last year using the bicycle with the respiratory mask and EKG stickers in place, so please wear appropriate clothing and shoes for this testing.
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More info on the CPET testing: https://vimeo.com/235846494/65bbea251c

CPET testing website: https://www.mymettest.com/patients

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Other components of the physical will include: 

Urinalysis
VitalFlo Pulmonary testing
Audiometry
Vital signs, including weight
Visual Acuity & color vision screening
Comprehensive physical exam
Review and discussion of laboratory testing results
Review and discussion of FF risk factors in the last year
Review and discussion of other medical concerns that might affect your ability to safely perform work as a firefighter.

** IMPORTANT **

Your medical information will remain completely confidential within the practice at HealthSprings Direct.

The PTC Fire and EMS leadership will only receive a letter stating that you ARE or ARE NOT cleared to perform the duties as a firefighter using SCBA equipment.

We will not release any information to the city, to the fire department, or to your other medical providers without your written consent.

Due to liability and malpractice coverage, Dr. Springston and Dr. Jaggers can only advise and not treat medical issues outside of the scope of the NFPA guidelines.

Further testing may be ordered based on recommendations which will fall under routine health maintenance and screening and covered by your personal medical insurance. i.e. pap testing for females, chest x ray for smokers, etc.

** OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES **

NFPA 1582 Guidelines: https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1582

OSHD regulations: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs

HealthSprings Direct Website: www.HealthSpringsDirect.com

HealthSprings Direct Patient:  https://healthspringsim.md-hq.com/

PCFD FF Physical Guide: PCFD Firefighter Physical Guide

Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator: https://clincalc.com/cardiology/ascvd/pooledcohort.aspx

Grail Galleri Early Cancer Detection testing with discount for firefighters:  https://grail.com/our-products/