|
Your Hospitalist Physician The NCH Hospitalist Program pairs patients who are admitted to the hospital through the Emergency Department with an internal medicine specialist who is an expert in treating acute illness. Your primary care physician has asked us to take care of your medical needs while you are at NCH. We are focused entirely on your speedy recovery, and will provide you with the best medical attention possible. Because this may be the first time we have cared for you, we know you may have questions about us and about our role in your medical care.
What is a 'Hospitalist?'A Hospitalist is a physician who specializes in internal medicine and whose entire attention is directed toward patients while they are in the hospital. By concentrating on and specializing in hospital-based medicine, hospitalists are able to maintain expertise in this important and rapidly changing field. An NCH hospitalist is immediately available to visit you in an emergency or if there is a change in your condition.
Why isn't my regular physician seeing me in the hospital?Your physician has asked the Hospitalists to attend to your medical needs while you are in Novato Community Hospital. This way, your physician can focus on patient care in the office or outpatient setting, including your post-hospitalization follow up. In turn, this allows the Hospitalists to concentrate their full attention on your care during your hospital stay.
How will my regular physician know what is going on with me?While you are at NCH, we will communicate with your physicians regularly, asking for their advice and input regarding your care.
Why might I see several Hospitalist physicians during my stay at NCH?The Hospitalists are a small group of specialists who cover this service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because no one person could do this alone, we work as a team, so you may see more than one of us during your stay. All of us are in close contact with one another.
How can my family and I communicate with the Hospitalists?Hospitalist physicians will see you at least once a day, and more if needed. This is the best time to ask any questions about your medical care. During the day, we can be paged to respond immediately to any urgent issues.Your family will be contacted if there are changes in your condition. Family members can contact the Hospitalists through the nursing unit. We request that one family member be designated as the contact person and that multiple family members not call frequently.
What will happen after I am discharged?We will contact your own personal physician or make arrangements for your follow-up care. You need to follow through with your discharge instructions, including making necessary appointments with your own physician.
If you have questions, comments or concerns, we would like to hear from you. Just contact us through the nurses' station.
Patient LogPlease write down any questions you have (You can refer to these the next time your Hospitalist visits).
|
|
|
|
