BMH Hospitalist Program
What is a hospitalist? Answers to your questions about Beaufort Memorial’s new hospitalist program
Last spring Beaufort Memorial launched a hospitalist program—a growing trend among acute-care hospitals across the nation—and it has proven to be of great service to both our patients and physicians.
If you’re not familiar with the term “hospitalist,” we’d like to help with some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about hospitalists and our program at Beaufort Memorial. For more information, contact the hospitalist program coordinator at (843) 522-5005.
Q: Who are the hospitalists and what do they do?
A: Hospitalists are board-certified internal medicine physicians who work at Beaufort Memorial, but are employed by IN Compass Health/24ON Physicians, PC. They care for hospitalized medical patients, and are available to care for unassigned patients presenting to the Emergency Department whom the ED physicians feel may require hospitalization or need an Internal Medicine consult. They also provide inpatient medical consults as requested by sub-specialists, and to provide inpatient medical care to the patients of those primary care physicians who choose to enter into a service agreement with the hospitalist practice.
Q: If I’m hospitalized, will I see a hospitalist or my own doctor?
A: It depends. If your primary care physician entered into an agreement with the hospitalist practice, you likely will be seen by a hospitalist at some point during your hospital stay. If your physician did not enter into an agreement, you will continue to be seen by him or her. Check with your physician’s office to find out if he or she has entered into an agreement with the hospitalist practice.
Q: Will the hospitalist practice also provide outpatient medical services?
A: No, the hospitalist practice will refer all patients back to their primary care physician follow-up and ongoing care. The patients will be instructed to see their primary care physician 5-10 days post discharge.
Q: During what hours are the hospitalists available?
A: The hospitalists have an office at Beaufort Memorial and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide services.
Q: How is continuity of care maintained between the inpatient and outpatient setting?
A: Communication is key. Primary care physicians will be notified of the patient’s admission to the hospital and pertinent information will be requested from the outpatient medical record. At the time of discharge the primary care physician will be notified and requested to see the patient in 5-10 days for a follow-up visit, and will be given pertinent information about the patient’s hospitalization, including the discharge summary, discharge instructions and discharge medications. In some cases, the hospitalist may choose to personally contact the physician to discuss special issues or concerns.
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