 FAQs Hospitalists
What is a hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a physician who provides medical treatment to individuals while they are in the hospital. In fact, the area of hospitalists is one the newest and fastest growing areas in healthcare. Today, more than 25,000 physicians nationwide identify themselves as hospitalists. Because hospitalists don’t maintain a private practice outside the hospital, their time is devoted solely to caring for hospitalized patients. At DuPage
Medical Group, our hospitalists are board certified, internal medicine physicians.
What does the hospitalist do?
Hospitalists have many roles throughout the hospitalization process. Their primary responsibility is to provide on-site care for patients of the hospital. Because they are at the hospital throughout the day (typically 7 am –7 pm), they are able to provide the comprehensive care patients need. For patients, care by a hospitalist results in more visits, greater communication and faster test results. It also leads to decreased length of hospitalization and decreased readmission rates. Beyond the care they provide, our hospitalists also act as liaisons, communicating with the patient’s primary care physician. They notify the primary care doctor of their patient’s hospitalization, collaborate on their care, review their medical records and report updates about their progress. In addition, they also work directly with hospital personnel regarding your care.
How does it work?
If your primary care physician or specialty physician believes that you need to be hospitalized, he or she will coordinate your admission with our hospitalists. If you are admitted through the Emergency Department, your physician will be notified. When you are admitted to the hospital, our hospitalist physician will review your condition and medical records to get an complete understanding of why you are hospitalized. They will visit you personally to access your condition, guide your care, review your progress, establish a relationship with your family and communicate with other healthcare professionals including your primary care physician.
What are the key benefits for me?
First and foremost, our hospitalists provide you with on-site care, seven days a week. Because their sole focus is on hospitalized patients, they are able to provide care that is comprehensive and you can see them as often as needed. In addition, hospitalists are based at the hospital so decisions can be made quicker, tests can be interpreted faster and care can be implemented sooner. This reduces the length of hospitalization, lowers costs and improves the quality of care.
Will the hospitalist be involved after I am discharged?
When you are discharged, your hospitalist physician will transition medical care back to your primary physician, who will resume the responsibility for ongoing outpatient treatment.
How can I learn more about DuPage Medical Group’s hospitalist program?
For more information about the hospitalist program, please call 630 469 9200. |
|
