Guide to our Hospitalists
What is a Hospitalist?
Your hospitalist is a physician who spends most of his or her professional time caring for patients who are admitted to The Memorial Hospital. He or she is an inpatient primary care specialist who usually does not maintain an outpatient medical practice. Our hospitalists form a highly-qualified team, dedicated to providing you with the best medical care possible.
What are the benefits?
The hospitalist can maintain contact with you. If there is an emergency, the hospitalist is never far away. He or she knows Shore Health System's specialists and can follow up on tests and treatment throughout the day, every day you're in the hospital. The hospitalist can help you and your family understand your illness, treatment, recovery and how you might prevent hospital visits in the future.
Why use a Hospitalist?
There are two major factors that have contributed to the growth and popularity of the hospitalist concept. First is the need for increased availability of primary care physicians in the community. By permitting a hospitalist to care for patients in the hospital, your primary care physician is able to remain in the office to provide community-based care. Second is that in today's society, patients admitted to the hospital are often quite ill. It is important to have a physician deliver continuous hospital care to deal with small problems before they become emergencies.
How does the hospitalist know about my condition?
As soon as you are admitted, your doctor is contacted. Records from your regular doctor and prior admissions are reviewed, and you will also be asked to update your medical history and condition. Hospitalists discuss your medical status as a team as they go on and off duty.
When will the hospitalist see me?
Rounds begin generally at 7 a.m. Visits continue throughout the day. Some patients are seen in the afternoon, to allow for test results to be reviewed. Emergency Room visits, patient emergencies, family meetings and other unpredictable events may cause schedule changes.
How can my family speak to the hospitalist?
We prefer that you and your family speak together at the same time with the hospitalist, if possible. This may require arranging a meeting time. Don't wait for the hospitalist to complete rounds. Ask your nurse to contact the hospitalist to arrange a convenient meeting time. If it is not possible for everyone to meet together, please choose a family spokesperson who can be informed of progress of recovery, including test results and their meaning.
When will I be discharged?
Discharges can occur during the morning or afternoon. The decision to discharge you from the hospital is complicated and sometimes the information needed to make this decision is only available in the afternoon.
What happens at discharge?
When you are discharged from the hospital you will be given a set of written instructions regarding diet, activity, medications, follow-up tests and follow-up appointments with your primary or specialty physicians. If you are unsure of what these instructions mean, please ask the hospitalist or your nurse. A copy of these instructions will be sent to your physician along with a full summary of your hospital stay. If necessary, the hospitalist will call your physician. Your physician may also call the hospitalist for further information during your follow-up appointment.
What if I don't have a primary care physician?
Shore Health System has a large network of excellent primary care physicians in convenient locations across the mid-Shore region. Arrangements can be made for you to have a referral to one of our physicians or to a physician of your choice.
For more information about the Hospitalist Program call 410/822-1000 or 410/476-3771, extension 5260. For information on the Shore Clinical Foundation Primary Care Network call 410/770-3492 or toll free, 800/445-4252.
