I went to BHMH and they told me that they hired a Hospitalist. What does that mean?
A Hospitalist is a doctor who primarily takes care of patients when they are in the hospital. Just like your primary care doctor, hospitalists are trained in general internal medicine and other specialties. However, because hospitalists do not maintain outside clinics, they can focus all their attention on patients inside the hospital.
However your doctor is still in touch while you are an in-patient. When you are admitted to the hospital, your doctor communicates with the hospitalist about your condition and transfers the management of your care. The hospitalist communicates every day with your doctor about the plan for your care and how you are progressing. Prior to your discharge, the hospitalist consults with your doctor to plan your future course of care. This ensures a smooth transition of the management of your care back to your doctor.
An important benefit of the hospitalist service is increased availability for you and your family. During critical and stressful moments, your hospitalist will be there to provide timely, honest, and considerate answers to all your questions.
When you leave the hospital, the hospitalist will ensure that your medical records will be in your primary care doctor's hands well before your first follow-up visit. Your hospitalist is available through the page operator to you and your family after discharge, until your first follow-up appointment with your doctor. |
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