Jefferson Regional Medical Center has a team of 10 Hospitalists physicians trained in Internal Medicine or Family Practice who specialize in caring for patients while they are in the hospital. They manage all aspects of a patient’s medical treatment from the time of admission until the time of discharge, working in collaboration with the patient’s primary care physician. Hospitalists only see patients in the hospital and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Being cared for by a Hospitalist can often help speed your recovery and shorten your hospital stay. Since Hospitalists do not have an outside office, they can focus their attention exclusively on your medical care in the hospital. This enables your primary care doctor to be more available to you and your family in the office.
HOW DOES THE HOSPITALIST SERVICE WORK?
At the time of your admission, the Hospitalist will speak with your primary care doctor or specialist, who will share as much information about your medical history as possible. The Hospitalist physician will see you every day and can even see you more than once a day if needed. Hospitalists can quickly follow up on tests and adjust your treatment regimen as needed throughout the day. The Hospitalist will then maintain ongoing communication with your doctor and give him or her updates on your condition.
Hospitalists are a team of doctors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As no one doctor can do this alone, you might be cared for by more than one Hospitalist during your stay. Rest assured that each Hospitalist involved in your care will be fully acquainted with your condition and attentive to your needs while in the hospital.
Hospitalists also fill an important role for physicians in outlying communities who refer patients to JRMC. They follow up with referring physicians, are available for phone consultations and help coordinate patients’ care while they are hospitalized.
To speak with your Hospitalist while you are in the hospital, you can ask your nurse to call the doctor. If your assigned Hospitalist is not on duty, then another Hospitalist will be able to help you.
