As the hospitalist movement continues to grow, some key questions have come to many patients minds.
- Why isn’t my primary care doctor overseeing my care while I am hospitalized?
- How is my doctor going to know that I am in the hospital?
- How will my doctor know what happened to me while I was hospitalized?
- Is my doctor involved in the important decisions regarding my are?
- Why isn’t my primary care doctor overseeing my care while I am hospitalized?
The decision by many primary care physicians to discontinue making rounds in the hospital came about for a number of different factors. These factors include difficulties with time management between the hospital and office settings, need for efficiency and cost-effectiveness by hospitals in delivering high quality care to hospitalized patients, patient safety and financial pressures placed on primary care physicians by insurance companies and government-run healthcare programs. As a result of this, the hospitalist concept was developed to tackle many of these difficulties while allowing primary care physicians to continue to deliver high-level care in their offices. - How is my doctor going to know that I am in the hospital?
There are many methods by which your primary care physician can be notified of your hospital stay. Hospital Physicians Network employs many of these options to do so. Most hospital systems now have automated notification systems in which your primary care physician is sent an email or fax when you have been admitted. We follow this with direct communication with your doctor by phone and providing copies of your admission and discharge paperwork directly to your doctor’s office. We also have developed integrated computer programs which allow us to accomplish these tasks as well. Any significant changes to your health or concerns regarding your medical care will be directly discussed with your primary care physician who can then participate in your care in detail. All this is done to foster a coordinated team effort between the inpatient and outpatient settings and ensure that care is seamless as you follow up after discharge. - How will my doctor know what happened to me while I was hospitalized?
After your physician is notified of your admission to the hospital or subacute rehabilitationcenter, your hospitalist will coordinate your care in accordance to your primary care physician’s preferences. These include choices of specialists and consultants who will be involved in your care. Your physician will be directly communicated with as well as receive copies of your admission and discharge paperwork . Any concerns with your care will also be directly discussed with your physician as well. Your physician also will be able to contact your hospitalist with any concerns or input regarding your care. A comprehensive plan of care after discharge will be communicated to ensure a seamless transition out of the hospital as well. - Is my doctor involved in the important decisions regarding my care?
The simple answer to this is always yes. Any concerns regarding complex decisions in your plan of care will involve your primary care physician. Your communication with your primary care physician regarding these issues is necessary and welcomed as well. The goals of Hospital Physicians Network is to provide excellent care and guidance through the decision-making process in accordance with your and your primary care physicians choices. Your hospitalist will act as an extension of your doctor’s office while coordinating your care in the hospital.