Understanding the Vital Role of a Hospitalist

A hospital stay can be an overwhelming time. The flurry of activity in and out of your inpatient room can be dizzying, all in the name of ensuring you get the highest quality of care—focused on helping you heal and return home to your normal activities.

While you may recognize the role of the nurses, specialists, and others who tend to you, you may not be as familiar with the vital role a hospitalist plays in your care. Their contributions sometimes can go unnoticed, but their impact is indeed profound.

Available 24/7 during your hospital stay, hospitalists are board-certified doctors whose specialty is managing the complexities of inpatient care. They function as in-house primary care doctors who help to diagnose your condition, coordinate your treatment plan during your hospital stay and collaborate with all members of your clinical team—helping to make sure you have the best possible care and experience. A hospitalist will also communicate key information to you and your family, explaining everything you need to know about your illness and what to expect in the treatment and recovery phases. 

What Hospitalists Do

• Coordinate your care. Think of the hospitalist as your primary point of contact during your hospital stay. They will communicate with you, your family, your primary care provider and others so that—from admission to discharge—there is seamless coordination and a continuity of treatment.
• Are available 24/7. Hospitalists are available around the clock, so they’re easily accessible in emergencies or when questions arise.
• Provide expertise in acute care. Hospitalists specialize in the clinical problems of acutely ill hospitalized patients. Their experience and expertise allow them to respond to emergent medical needs, make timely decisions and interventions, and promptly follow up on test results and procedures.
• Collaborate across disciplines. What makes a hospitalist so unique is their ability to collaborate and communicate with everyone, including nurses, doctors, therapists and pharmacists. Hospitalists will advocate for you. They will address your questions and concerns while also recommending the best course for treatment as established by your care team. 

During your hospital stay, should you or your family members need to speak with the hospitalist, simply ask your nurse to contact them. 

Garnet Health recently increased its hospitalist team to 46 providers, who care for inpatients at Garnet Health Medical Center and Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills. With more hospitalists on staff 24 hours every day, they are more easily accessible, ensuring all patients have the best possible experience in our hospitals.

To learn more about Garnet Health’s hospitalist services, visit garnethealth.org/hospitalist-program.