Hospitalist Care

The use of hospitalists has become increasingly common in many hospitals. Studies have shown that hospitalists provide people in the hospital with high quality care while allowing primary care providers (PCPs) to concentrate on patients visiting their practices. Studies also have shown that, in general, both patients and PCPs are very satisfied with care provided by hospitalists.

Other benefits of hospitalist care include:

• Immediate response if you have an emergency during your hospital stay.
• Providing patients with immediate access to a doctor throughout the day.
• Quick follow-up on your progress and test results.
• Routine communication with you and your family.
• Timely discharge.

Your hospitalist team will direct your care and see you daily during your hospital stay. Your hospitalist may ask other physician specialists to see you as well. Your hospitalist works closely with your entire team of care providers. This includes nurses, social workers, dietitians, respiratory therapists and pharmacists.

Your hospitalist will arrange for any services or prescriptions that you may need when you leave the hospital. After you’re discharged, your PCP will take back over your care and arrange any further care or services you need.

Hospitalists work closely with your PCP in many ways:

• At the time of admission, the hospitalist and/or Emergency Department physician will inform your PCP of your admission and get additional information about your history and medications.
• At the time of discharge, the hospitalist again will contact your PCP with an update on your hospital treatment and recommendations for follow-up care.
• The hospital will mail a written summary of your hospital stay to your PCP.
• Your hospital care team will provide contact information for reaching BID Milton Hospitalist Services physicians at the time of your hospital discharge.

BID Milton provides Case Management services to patients in our Emergency Department (ED) and on the inpatient units. We offer this care through specially trained registered nurses who are members of the Case Management department.

These nurses collaborate with you, your family, the patient care team, health insurer and health care providers in the community to develop an individualized discharge plan.

The goal is to develop a plan that addresses each patient’s individual needs. Our compassionate team is committed to supporting patients in receiving the highest quality care in the most appropriate setting after being discharged from the hospital.

For more information, call the Case Management department at 617-696-4600, ext. 1128.