As a patient,
your care is at the heart of every service we provide. That’s why we have a “Hospitalist Program”
where doctors inside the hospital work closely with your own physician to make
sure you get the attention and care you need during your stay. (If you do not
have a primary care physician, your hospitalist will work to help refer you to
one when you leave the hospital.)
Our mission is to promote high quality,
efficient, comprehensive inpatient care for hospitalized patients of any
physician who requests service.
What is a hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a
physician who specializes in caring for patients admitted to the hospital. Our hospitalists
are trained in general internal medicine and other specialties and are able to
focus their attention on patients inside the hospital because they do not have
outside private practices. They have
experience and expertise in a wide range of diseases and medical conditions and
immediate access to specialist physician when needed.
For more information
please see our Hospitalist Brochure
(PDF) or call (707) 547-5437.
How does the hospitalist know about me?
When you are a patient, your hospitalist talks to your primary care physician frequently.
Here’s how it works:
What happens when I am admitted to the hospital?
Your primary care
physician calls the hospitalist to inform him or her of your condition, and
sends records to the hospital to provide needed information about your illness.
(This process is similar to when your doctor refers you to a specialist.)
Why is a hospitalist caring for me?
Your primary care physician has requested that a hospitalist be in charge
of managing your care while you are in the hospital. Your primary care
physician’s time is freed to be more available to you and other patients when
you are in his or her office.
What if I do not have a primary care physician?
If you need to be admitted to the Hospital and do not have a primary care
physician you will be admitted to the Hospitalist Service. After discharge, together with the discharge
planners we will refer you to a physician or community clinic for follow-up
care.
What happens during my hospitalization?
Your hospitalist will supervise your care and consult with
your primary care physician about your treatment as needed. The Hospitalist recommends your medical plan
of care and coordinates any consultations, tests and treatments needed. The Hospitalist is available to see you as
often as needed throughout the day and will communicate with you and your
family members information about your condition.
What about being discharged from the hospital? Your hospitalist will get in touch with your
primary care physician to discuss further treatment needs, help arrange
follow-up, prescribe medications, and send your hospital records to him or her. After discharge from the hospital your care
will be managed by your primary care physician.
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 see your primary care physician again after your discharge
from the hospital, in his or her office for your continuing treatment.
What are the benefits from seeing a hospitalist?
There are many benefits
of receiving care from our team. Hospitalists:
- Are
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are never more than a few minutes
away because they work in the hospital.
- Can see you more than
once a day if needed.
- Know every specialist
and department in the hospital.
- Can quickly follow up
on tests and adjust your treatment regimen as needed throughout the day.
- Can spend time talking
with you and your family about your care.
How to contact us
When you are in the
hospital, the best way to reach your hospitalist to answer questions or discuss
your care is to ask your nurse. He or
she will put your hospitalist in touch with you. If you
have other questions about our hospitalist services, please call our nurse
coordinator at (707) 547-5437.
Hospitalist Services at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital:
Medical Director:
Physicians:
Program Coordinator:
For more information, including career opportunities, please contact:
Nancy Swick, Program Coordinator
(707) 547-5437 (phone)
(707) 547-5430 (fax)
Nancy.swick@stjoe.org