What is the role of a Hospitalist?
Your primary care physician may request that a Hospitalist oversee your care while you are a patient at Morris Hospital. The Hospitalists at Morris Hospital are physicians who specialize in adult medicine and focus on the care of the hospitalized patient. Essentially, the Hospitalist assists your primary care physician by caring for the patient during hospitalization. The Hospitalist will be in contact with your primary care physician to help assure a smooth continuation of your care. Hospitalists are purely based in the hospital and do not have offices or office hours.
If the Hospitalist is overseeing your care, he or she will manage and coordinate all aspects of your stay in the hospital from admission through discharge, including organizing communication between the various physicians who may be involved in your care, and serving as the point of contact for physicians, nurses, you the patient, and your family members.
Hospitalists have vast expertise in the care of the hospitalized patient. Throughout the course of the day, they are typically able to spend extended time or make multiple rounds to check on patients assigned to their care and to assure care is going according to plan.
Hospitalists are readily available to promptly order, track and explain your test results. They are also available to meet with your family members, follow up on tests, and answer questions about your specific care.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS THE USE OF HOSPITALISTS A NEW CONCEPT IN HEALTHCARE?
Hospitalists began to appear in the medical setting in the late 1990s. They are rapidly becoming much more widely used today, mainly so primary care physicians can devote more time to seeing patients in the office. Presently, more than one-half of the nation’s community hospitals have Hospitalists. At Morris Hospital, physicians have the option of using the services of a Hospitalist to assist them in the care of their patients.
WILL MY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN HAVE INVOLVEMENT IN MY CARE?
While the Hospitalist will be responsible for coordinating your care during your time spent in the hospital, the Hospitalist doesn’t replace the care of your primary care physician. The Hospitalist will provide timely, accurate communication to your physician throughout your hospitalization. Your physician will also receive a copy of your medical records so he or she stays informed. Once you are discharged, you will return to the care of your primary care physician.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I AM DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL?
You will see your regular physician after discharge from the hospital. If you do not have a physician, you will be referred to a primary care provider for follow-up.
WILL I RECEIVE A BILL FROM THE HOSPITALISTS?
Yes, you will be billed for the care you receive from the Hospitalists during your hospitalization. The bill will come from Healthcare Centers of Morris Hospital and will be separate from your hospital bill.
IS THERE ANYTHING I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR HOSPITALIZATION?
Please carry a list of your current medications, allergies, medical conditions and ongoing treatments, as well as a list of the names and telephone numbers of your physicians. You should also discuss Advance Directives with your family members. This will help ensure the best possible care in the event that you should require hospitalization or a visit to the emergency department.