Hospitalist Care

Your primary care physician is always welcome to check on you while you are in the hospital. In addition, you will likely see a hospitalist. Hospitalists are internal medicine physicians who only see patients inside the hospital. They specialize in hospital medicine and they do not spend any time in outpatient clinics. This makes them readily available to meet the needs of Jefferson Regional’s patients as well as their families. Hospitalists partner with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) to provide quality care to you during your hospital stay. This partnership was created from the request of your PCP and it’s a relationship built on trust and communication. Your primary care physician can provide information about your past medical history to the hospitalist, and the two doctors can discuss any significant findings or events. Your PCP is welcome to check on you and discuss your care with the Hospitalist at any time during your stay.

 

Intensive Care

Intensive care is needed if someone is seriously ill and requires intensive treatment and close monitoring, or if they’re having surgery and intensive care can help them recover. Most people on an ICU have problems with one or more organs. For example, they may be unable to breathe on their own. Jefferson Regional offers a fully staffed Intensive Care Unit which operates around the clock.

An ICU can often be an overwhelming place, both for the patient and their loved ones. It can therefore help to know a little about what to expect.

• Visiting hours – Normal hours are at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m.
• Hygiene rules – to reduce the risk of spreading infection, please clean your hands when entering and leaving the unit and you may not be able to bring in certain things such as flowers. Avoid visiting if you’re ill.
• How patients may look and behave – the person you’re visiting may be drowsy and seem confused. They may also appear slightly swollen or have injuries such as bruises or wounds. This can be upsetting to see, but staff will ensure they’re as comfortable as possible.
• ICU equipment – a series of tubes, wires and cables will be attached to the patient, which may look alarming at first. Ask staff to explain what these are if you’d like to know.
• Unfamiliar sounds – you may hear alarms and bleeps from the equipment. These help staff to monitor their patients.