What is a Hospitalist? 
A Hospitalist is a physician dedicated to inpatient hospital care.  Because Hospitalists work exclusively in the hospital, they are focused on your  particular needs during your hospital stay.  Their familiarity with hospital systems and functions makes it easy to  coordinate high quality, efficient care for you within the hospital setting. 
 

Why is ELIH embracing the Hospitalist model?
Healthcare nationwide has seen a rise in the Hospitalist model as primary care physicians face a growing need to cut back on on-call responsibilities and shift their focus to their office practices.   

 
Because hospitalists are in the hospital most of the time, they can track test results and order necessary follow-up tests promptly. This is in contrast to the traditional setting where your primary care physician may have come to the hospital the next day to follow-up on your results and take the next necessary step at that time.

“Since the hospitalist's ‘office’ is the hospital, these physicians are actively involved in the daily routine at the hospital.  They are well-positioned    to effectively communicate between physicians and staff, enhance patient safety, reduce medical errors and deliver timely patient care. ” notes Paul J Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer. 

“Hospitalists' are the physicians that organize the communication between the different specialists caring for you, and serve as the point of contact for questions and updates to delineate a comprehensive plan of care,” adds Connor.

How is my Primary Care Physician involved with my care at ELIH?  Can I count on continuity of care?

Although, some family physicians may continue to make rounds on their patients, your family physician can choose to entrust your care entirely to the Hospitalist when you are admitted to the hospital. 
 

Hospitalists are readily available to focus on your care, while your primary care physican may be restricted to visiting before or after office hours.  Continuity of care is a priority as you are referred back to your family doctor when discharged.

Your Hospitalist will communicate regularly with your family physician during your entire hospital stay.  ELIH has the benefit of having ample coverage with physicians who are able to provide individualized focused care for each  patient.

"Because hospitalists are on top of everything that happens to a patient — from entry through treatment and discharge — they are largely credited with reducing the length of hospital stays by anywhere from 17 to 30 percent, and reducing costs by 13 to 20 percent, according to studies in The Journal of the American Medical Association."  – The New York Times 

The Hospitalist Program at ELIH is designed to streamline care, reduce readmission rates and provide patient friendly follow up instructions.