The hospitalist assumes the role of your primary care physician during your hospitalization from admission to discharge and is familiar with your short-term and long-term issues. They work as partners with your physician to provide you with the highest standard of care during your hospital stay.
Hospitalists are on-site at MercyOne Dubuque hospital seven days a week to provide ongoing and immediate care. They are available to read test results immediately, order different tests if necessary, and may prevent an unnecessary stay overnight.
If your physician or specialist believes that you need to be hospitalized, he or she will coordinate your admission with our hospitalist staff. If you are admitted through the Emergency Department, your physician will be notified at the time of your discharge to ensure you receive follow-up care. Once admitted, the hospitalists will be in charge of your care and see you daily.
The hospitalist will:
- Assess and treat your medical condition, working closely with the team of caregivers to ensure communication and continuity of care.
- Order tests and procedures, follow up on results, and expedite adjustments to your care.
- Manage your pre-operative evaluation and peri-operative care, if you are hospitalized for elective procedures.
- Coordinate your care with specialists, should the need arise. (For example, your hospitalist would consult a cardiologist for a newly identified heart problem.)
Questions you may have about Hospitalist Care:
- Who will talk to my family while I am in the hospital?
- With your permission, the hospitalist will contact your family and will be available throughout the day to answer questions you or your family may have. You may also call your physician, who will have current information on your condition.
- Will my physician know what happens during my hospitalization?
- Your primary care provider will be notified of your hospitalization at the time of discharge. The hospitalist will work with your primary care physician to develop a plan and facilitate the transition of your care after you are discharged from the hospital.
- What happens on weekends?
- A hospitalist is on duty seven days a week
- What will happen when I am discharged?
- The hospitalist will discuss your discharge medications and other instructions with you. Your first post-discharge office visit with your primary care physician will be scheduled, and your physician will receive a summary of your stay, including discharge diagnoses, medications that have been ordered or provided, and recommended follow up visits or treatments.
- What are the benefits to me?
- First and foremost, high quality care by highly trained physicians is available to you seven days a week. The hospitalist is able to constantly assess your condition and modify the plan of care to meet your changing needs. The hospitalist, nurse, and clinical pharmacist will spend time with you and your family discussing your plan of care and following up on results as soon as they are received. The hospitalist will meet with your entire team of caregivers to ensure that everyone is well informed of your treatment plan and is working together with you to make the hospital experience as positive as it can be. This helps prevent medical complications, reduce hospital stays and lower costs.
Our hospitalists are physicians who have completed an Internal Medicine or Family Medicine Residency, are Board Certified in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine and have Intensive Care experience. In addition, we have Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) who are Board Certified in Family Nursing.
