What is a hospitalist?
- A hospitalist is a medical doctor or mid-level provider who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. Hospitalists are trained in general internal medicine and other medical specialties
What are the benefits of having a hospitalist?
- Because the hospitalist is actually in the hospital at all times, he or she has added knowledge of the other departments and specialties and are very accessible to the hospital nursing staff. The hospitalists can help to speed your recovery and shorten your hospital stay by following up on tests and adjusting your treatment plan throughout the day. Hospitalists have systems in place to communicate with your family and your primary care provider as needed.
Why might I see several different hospitalists during my stay?
- Hospitalists cover admitted patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Because no one person could do all of this on their own, they work as a team. This may result in you seeing more than one hospitalist during your stay at Trousdale Medical Center.
What is the relationship between the Hospitalists and my Primary Care Provider?
- The hospitalist partners with your primary care provider to administer and oversee your treatment while you are in the hospital, serving as your regular provider until you are discharged. The hospitalist will see you daily and manage your conditions, contacting your primary care provider as appropriate. When you are discharged you will return to your regular provider to continue your care plan.
What if I don't have a Primary Care Provider?
- If you do not have a primary care provider, the hospitalist or other hospital staff can assist you in finding a provider and the records from your hospital stay can be sent to that provider.
