A hospitalist is a doctor and a member of a growing medical specialty who has chosen a field of
medicine that specifically focuses on the care of the hospitalized patient. Before selecting this medical specialty, hospitalists complete specialized education and training. As a key member of the health care team and an experienced medical professional, the hospitalist doctor takes primary responsibility for inpatient care by working closely with the patient’s primary care physician.
medicine that specifically focuses on the care of the hospitalized patient. Before selecting this medical specialty, hospitalists complete specialized education and training. As a key member of the health care team and an experienced medical professional, the hospitalist doctor takes primary responsibility for inpatient care by working closely with the patient’s primary care physician.
Will I see my primary care provider while I’m in the hospital?
While you are in the hospital, one of our skilled hospitalist doctors will coordinate your care and keep your primary care doctor updated as needed. Before the hospitalist program started, patients in the hospital would have to wait for their primary care provider to see them before their office hours in the morning or after their office hours in the evening. With our on-site hospitalists, a doctor is available to coordinate your care when you need it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our hospitalists are in contact with primary care doctors as needed and will coordinate any ongoing follow-up needs upon discharge. This allows primary care providers to serve their patients in the office setting while making sure you are getting the best care during your hospital stay.
What are the responsibilities of hospitalist doctors?
St. Joseph hospitalists have many important responsibilities, including ongoing communications with the patient, the family and the patient’s own personal physician. The hospitalist has the necessary skills to choose all medical tests or evaluations, interpret test results, and make essential decisions about the patient’s individual treatment plan.
The hospitalist is responsible for calling in other physician specialists for medical consults or further treatments options. In the event of an emergency, the hospitalist is never more than a few minutes away from the patient’s bedside. In fact, at St. Joseph Hospital, hospitalists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are available to see the patient as many times as needed on a daily basis.
St. Joseph hospitalists have direct access to all key hospital personnel, including medical and surgery consultants, specialists, social workers and discharge planners. Because of their knowledge of the extensive network of physicians and services within the St. Joseph Healthcare system, hospitalists can facilitate connections with potential post-acute providers such as home health, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
The hospitalist is responsible for calling in other physician specialists for medical consults or further treatments options. In the event of an emergency, the hospitalist is never more than a few minutes away from the patient’s bedside. In fact, at St. Joseph Hospital, hospitalists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are available to see the patient as many times as needed on a daily basis.
St. Joseph hospitalists have direct access to all key hospital personnel, including medical and surgery consultants, specialists, social workers and discharge planners. Because of their knowledge of the extensive network of physicians and services within the St. Joseph Healthcare system, hospitalists can facilitate connections with potential post-acute providers such as home health, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
How does having a hospitalist doctor during my inpatient stay benefit me?
Hospitalist medicine is one of the fastest growing specialties in medicine. Studies have shown that patients cared for by hospitalists had a length of stay shortened by up to 12% and modestly lower costs, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.(New England Journal of Medicine, 12/20/2007).
How does the Hospitalist work with my primary care provider?
Utilizing hospitalists to provide inpatient care allows your primary care provider to focus on
administering patient’s health care needs during office visits and providing personalized attention on a long-term basis. As hospitalists only practice in the hospital setting, they are generally much more familiar with the operation of the health care institution and in facilitating the highest quality, most efficient care.
With information provided by the family physician, the assigned hospitalist knows a great deal about the patient’s medical history and current physical condition. Together, the hospitalist and the personal physician assure that the patient will receive the highest standard of care.
At the time of admission, the assigned hospitalist will review medical records and discuss the patient’s condition with the primary care provider as necessary. The process is similar to what the physician routinely does when his or her patient is referred to a medical specialist for another opinion or for additional tests and treatment.
Following discharge, the personal physician receives a full report detailing the patient’s health care status. If necessary, the hospitalist also contacts the personal physician to discuss further treatment needs, help arrange follow-up care, prescribe the necessary medications, and forward all relevant hospital records. In short, the two physicians and other staff members work as a team to help every patient through a continuum of care that includes easy admission, a comfortable and compassionate hospital stay, and as timely a discharge as possible.
administering patient’s health care needs during office visits and providing personalized attention on a long-term basis. As hospitalists only practice in the hospital setting, they are generally much more familiar with the operation of the health care institution and in facilitating the highest quality, most efficient care.
With information provided by the family physician, the assigned hospitalist knows a great deal about the patient’s medical history and current physical condition. Together, the hospitalist and the personal physician assure that the patient will receive the highest standard of care.
At the time of admission, the assigned hospitalist will review medical records and discuss the patient’s condition with the primary care provider as necessary. The process is similar to what the physician routinely does when his or her patient is referred to a medical specialist for another opinion or for additional tests and treatment.
Following discharge, the personal physician receives a full report detailing the patient’s health care status. If necessary, the hospitalist also contacts the personal physician to discuss further treatment needs, help arrange follow-up care, prescribe the necessary medications, and forward all relevant hospital records. In short, the two physicians and other staff members work as a team to help every patient through a continuum of care that includes easy admission, a comfortable and compassionate hospital stay, and as timely a discharge as possible.
What if I don’t have a primary care provider?
If you are in need of a primary care provider, we can help. A list of primary care practices proudly affiliated with
St. Joseph Hospital are listed in this brochure. Additionally, you can call MedCall, our FREE physician referral line at
(800) 210.9000 to get a list of providers that meet your individual needs. You can also visit www.stjosephhospital.com for a
complete list of our extensive physician network.
Have a problem or concern?
If you have a problem, concern or compliment about your care, please call the St. Joseph Hospital Service Assurance
department at (603) 882.3000 ext. 63260.
