Hospitalist Care

What is a Hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in providing care for patients who are admitted to the hospital. If you’re admitted to the hospital, a hospitalist will assume your care on behalf of your primary physician and will be available to talk with you and your family about your treatment. Most hospitalists are internal medicine or family medicine physicians.

What Benefits Do Hospitalists Provide?

• Hospitalists monitor your care throughout your hospital stay. Because hospitalists work solely in the hospital, they may see you more than once a day, and they are close  by in case of an emergency. Hospitalists also work closely with other hospital departments to expedite your care by following up on tests and adjusting your treatment regimen as needed.
• Hospitalists communicate with you and your family. They are here to listen to your concerns and answer questions about your care.
• Hospitalists enable your primary care physician to be more available to you and other patients in the office. Coordinating care with a hospitalist team is an advantage for both patients and physicians.

Hospitalists specialize in the medical care of hospitalized patients. They may examine patients and order x-rays or diagnostic tests as well as analyze test results, order treatments and medical services, and prescribe medications. Many patients in the hospital have complicated cases. Hospitalists play an important role by utilizing their wide range of medical knowledge and overseeing the care of our patients.

How Does the Hospitalist Know Me?
When you’re admitted to the hospital, the hospitalist reviews your medical records and may contact your primary care physician to discuss your condition. Throughout your hospitalization, your hospitalist and primary care physician may communicate regarding your treatment.

When you are discharged from the hospital, your primary care physician will have access to all of your medical records following your hospitalization. The hospitalist will arrange followup care and prescribe any new medications until you are able to see your primary care physician.

When Will I See My Primary Care Physician?
You will see your regular doctor after you are discharged from the hospital.

What Should I Expect on My Bill?
You will receive two bills: one from the hospital for all hospital costs and one from our medical group for the hospitalist’s services. If you have questions about the hospitalist’s bill, call HRS Customer Service at 800-467-6802 or 812-450-6815.

Speak With Your Hospitalist
We do our best to maintain continuity of providers during your stay. However, you may see more than one hospitalist, depending on the length of your stay and other factors. Our hospitalists start seeing patients at 9 am, but the time will vary from unit to unit.