Hospital Medicine Program at North Oaks
What Is a Hospitalist?
Hospitalists are physicians who devote their practice to the care of hospitalized
patients. North Oaks Medical Center hospitalists are board-certified.
Hospitalists see hospitalized patients who have been referred to them by:
- Primary care physicians
- Emergency room physicians
- Other physicians at the hospital
As such, they are based in the hospital and will manage and coordinate
all aspects of your hospital stay at North Oaks Medical Center from admission
through discharge. North Oaks Medical Center hospitalists work closely
with your primary care physician as well as any consulting physicians
involved in your care.
Why Is a Hospitalist Caring For Me?
If a hospitalist is caring for you, it is because your own primary care
physician has requested that a North Oaks Medical Center hospitalist be
in charge of your care during your stay at North Oaks Medical Center.
In this way, you have the benefit of being seen by a physician whose practice
is entirely focused on the care of hospitalized patients. Additionally,
this can enable your primary care physician to be more available to you
and other patients in the office, rather than trying to go back and forth
between seeing patients in the office and the hospital.
How Does the Hospitalist Practice Work?
The North Oaks Medical Center hospitalist will be in charge of your inpatient
care and will see you every day to direct your treatment while you are
in the hospital. The hospitalist will be available to you and your family
to answer questions and discuss your condition. The hospitalist works
at North Oaks Medical Center full-time to provide for and attend to any
needs that may arise. The hospitalist may consult other physicians to
participate in your care as well.
What Is the Relationship Between My Hospitalist & Primary Care Physician?
The two physicians will work closely together. Your primary care physician
can provide information about your past health history to the hospitalist,
and the two physicians can discuss any significant findings or events.
At the time of admission and discharge, the hospitalist prepares a detailed
report of findings and treatment plans that are sent to your primary care
physician.
Communication continues between the hospitalist and your primary care physician
throughout your stay at North Oaks Medical Center. Your primary care physician
has asked the hospitalist to be in charge of your care while you are at
North Oaks Medical Center, but is welcome to check on you and discuss
your care with the hospitalist during your hospital stay.
What if I Need Another Specialist in the Hospital?
Your hospitalist will make arrangements for any in-hospital consultations
with other physicians or specialists. If you have already been seeing
other physicians at North Oaks Medical Center or elsewhere, be sure to
let us know so that we can keep them informed about your hospital stay.
What Happens to My Care at Discharge?
Since the hospitalist does not have an office-based practice, you will
continue care with your primary care physician upon your discharge. The
hospitalist will make arrangements for any prescriptions you may need
when you are discharged. You may be asked to make an appointment with
your primary care physician soon after discharge. You are welcome to contact
the hospitalist after discharge if you have any questions about your hospital stay.
What If I Don’t Have a Regular Primary Care Physician?
The hospitalist, or any other member of the staff at North Oaks Medical
Center, can assist in finding a physician for you to see after leaving
the hospital. Records from your hospital stay can be sent to this physician.
Will I Receive a Separate Bill for the Hospitalist Services?
Yes, the hospitalist’s services bill is separate from the hospital
bill. North Oaks Medical Center hospitalists are physicians who provide
direct clinical treatment, diagnostic services, and supervision of care
for patients they are assigned to at North Oaks Medical Center. Your insurance
company will be invoiced as provided at registration and then bill you
for any monies that are your responsibility (co-pays and deductible amounts).
If you have any questions regarding your Hospitalist services bill, please
call the Financial Assistance Center at (985) 230-2850.
How Do I Contact A Hospitalist At North Oaks Medical Center?
If you or a family member would like to speak with a member of the hospitalist
team during the course of your inpatient stay, we can put you in touch
at any time. Please ask your nurse to contact the Hospitalist Office at
(985) 230-3066.