 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 Hospitalists are doctors who devote their practice to care for hospitalized patients. The physicians are board certified in internal medicine and see hospitalized patients who have been referred from primary care doctors, emergency room doctors, or other physicians at the hospital. The best example of a doctor who has a role like a hospitalist
is the emergency room doctor (ER). The ER doctor takes over for
your primary care doctor when you go to the ER, care for you during
your stay in the ER then turns your care back over to your primary
care doctor when you leave the ER. A hospitalist has a similar role
when you are in the hospital. |
| Why
is a hospitalist caring for me?
Your own primary care physician has requested that a hospitalist be in charge of your care during the hospital stay. In this way you have the benefit of being seen by a doctor who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. Additionally, this can enable your primary doctor to be more available to you in the office, rather than trying to go back and forth between seeing patients in the office and in the hospital. |
| How
does the hospitalist’s practice work? The hospitalist will be in charge of your care and will see you every day to direct your treatment while you are in the hospital. This doctor is available to you and your family to answer questions and discuss your care. The hospitalist works full-time to provide your care and attend to any emergencies that may arise. They may consult other doctors to participate in your care as well. The hospitalist will make arrangements for any prescriptions you
may need when you are discharged. You may be asked to make an appointment
with your primary care doctor, or other doctors, soon after discharge. |
| What
if I need another specialist while in the hospital? Consultations from other physicians are necessary in some cases and the hospitalist will arrange for these as necessary. |
| What
is the relationship between the hospitalist and your primary care
physician?
The two doctors work together. Your primary care physician can provide information about your past health history to the hospitalist, and the two doctors can discuss any significant findings or events. At the time of your admission and discharge the hospitalist prepares a detailed report of findings and treatment plans that is sent to your primary care physician. Your Primary care pre assigns the hospitalist to be in charge of your care prior to your hospital admission, but may check on you and discuss your care with the hospitalist |
