A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in and focuses on patients' hospital care from the time of admission until their discharge. During that time, a coordinated team of physicians, nurses and support staff follows a defined process of patient care. These hospitalist physicians keep in close contact with your primary care physician while managing your care while in the hospital.
Primary care physicians may choose to refer patients to a hospitalist to provide inpatient care for them. Surgeons and other specialists also may ask hospitalists to provide consultation.
The hospitalist program supports primary care physicians by allowing them to focus on seeing patients in their offices. For a primary care physician, it can be difficult to care for both a full schedule of office patients and a seriously ill hospitalized patient. Hospitalists are immediately available and are in contact with primary care physicians at admission, discharge and other important times.
When a decision is made to admit you to St. Bernards Medical Center, your primary care physician may request a hospitalist to care for you. If a surgeon or specialist admits you, a hospitalist may be requested to consult on your care.
Our hospitalists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and they work together to care for you. More than one physician may see you during your hospitalization; however, your care will continue to be well coordinated and seamless.
The hospitalist works with a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals who provides high-quality and efficient care. At discharge, the hospitalist provides your physician with a detailed report on your hospital stay and the findings, as well as a printed discharge summary for your physician's records. Your physician resumes responsibility for your care after your discharge.
During the course of your hospitalization, our skilled team of specialists in hospital medicine: