Hospitalist Program
SMH is leading the way in patient care for those requiring hospitalization.
What is a Hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for patients while they are in the hospital. Their time is devoted to caring for hospitalized patients. Hospitalists manage and coordinate all aspects of your hospital care - from admission until discharge - working closely with your primary care physician and/or specialists involved.
Your hospitalist will keep your primary care physician and your family informed about your progress in the hospital.
While you are patient at SMH, your hospitalist will talk with your primary care physician on a frequent basis. Here’s how it works:
When you are admitted to the hospital, your primary care physician calls the hospitalist to inform him or her of your condition and sends over records to the hospital to provide needed information about your illness. (The process is similar to what your physician does when he or she refers you to a specialist).
While you are in the hospital, your hospitalist will supervise your care and may talk further with your primary care physician about your treatment.
When you are discharged from the hospital, your hospitalist will get in touch with your primary care physician to discuss further treatment needs, help arrange follow-up care, prescribe the necessary medications and send your hospital records to your regular physician.
Hospitalists are there for you
Since your primary care doctor spends most of the day in clinic outside the hospital, he or she cannot always be at your bedside when emergencies or concerns arise. Because the hospital is his or her “office”, your hospitalist is never far away and can see you more than once a day, if needed. The hospitalist can assist you through a smooth and speedy recovery process by following up on tests and adjusting your treatment regimen throughout the day based on those test results.
Can the hospitalist answer your family’s questions?
There’s no time more important to communicate about your care than during critical and stressful moments. Hospitalists are here to provide the answers—in person—whenever possible. Since hospitalists are in the hospital all day, they are able to spend more time talking to you and your family about your care.
Hospitalists know the hospital inside and out
Because hospitalists are in the hospital all day, they know every nurse, physician specialist, and department in the hospital. This allows them to focus on providing the best inpatient care possible.
Hospitalists and Primary Care Providers Work Together to Provide Better Patient Care
For many patients, working with a hospitalist is a win-win proposition. Your doctor can devote time to keeping patients healthy in the office environment—with fewer delays and interruptions. The hospitalist can be more available to care for you when you are at your sickest. With a physician in the hospital at all hours of the day and night, it’s easier for you and your family to communicate about your illness.
When will I see my primary care physician?
Your hospitalist and primary Care Physician, will consult with each other about your progress as needed, and your primary care physician may also visit you while you are in the hospital. You will go back to your regular doctor for continuing treatment after your discharge from the hospital. If you do not have a primary care physician, your hospitalist will help refer you to one when you leave the hospital.