Understanding what a hospitalist does can be important if you ever find yourself in the hospital. Hospitalists are the doctors who manage your care after you are admitted, coordinating treatment and keeping track of your progress. They play a key role in ensuring you receive the right care and are kept informed about your health. Knowing their role can help you feel more at ease and prepared during your hospital stay.
How is a hospitalist different from other doctors?
A doctor can practice in many different areas of medicine, while a hospitalist is a physician who specializes in the care of patients inside the hospital. Hospitalists have completed medical school and a residency, usually in internal medicine.
There are currently over 44,000 hospitalists practicing in hospitals across the nation.
How will a hospitalist work with me?
Once admitted to the hospital, your hospitalist will coordinate your course of treatment during your hospital stay, including ordering diagnostic imaging studies and lab work. A hospitalist will review all your tests and adjust your care based on your test results. Throughout your stay, he/shewill continue to update you on your plan of care.
A hospitalist will work with you and your family to personally answer and discuss any questions you may have about your illness, medications or other diagnostic and treatment processes during your hospitalization.
How will a hospitalist know my medical history?
Your hospitalist will spend extra time learning about you. At admission, if your care is assigned to a hospitalist, if needed he/she may contact your primary care physician to review your patient history and review any notes regarding your current condition. He/She will also review any past hospital records and gather information from you and your family.
When is the hospitalist available?
Members of the Hospitalists team are on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During your inpatient hospital stay, your nurse may page your hospitalist as needed. During night or off duty hours, the onsite nighttime covering hospitalist will be contacted to address any patient care needs and emergencies.
How does a hospitalist work with my primary care physician
Your hospitalist may contact your primary physician if needed during your hospital stay. At the time of discharge, he/she will send a discharge summary to your primary physician that will provide an update on the care you received in the hospital including any prescriptions given upon discharge, further treatment recommendations or recommended follow-up care.
What does the hospitalist do when it’s time for me to leave the hospital?
At discharge, your hospitalist will either arrange a follow up appointment with your primary care physician and appropriate specialists or instruct you to make these appointments yourself. She/he will review your hospital course and send a summary to your primary care physician. Your hospitalist will also review your medications, make any changes that are necessary and provide prescriptions for any new medications you need (these are often sent electronically to your pharmacy). You will receive a written summary of these and other instructions.
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