To meet the needs of our patients, San Angelo Community Medical Center offers hospitalized patients access to doctors around the clock. Through the hospitalist program, medical doctors who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of hospitalized patients are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide care.
What is a hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. Hospitalists are trained in general internal medicine and other medical specialties. Because hospitalists do not maintain outside clinics, they can focus attention exclusively on your medical care inside the hospital. The hospitalist maintains ongoing communication with your regular physician throughout your treatment. And, when you are discharged, the hospitalist transfers your care back to your primary care doctor or other caregiver.
What are the benefits of having a hospitalist?
Your hospitalist specializes in the kinds of medical conditions that need to be treated in the hospital. Because the hospitalist practices exclusively in the hospital setting, he or she has added knowledge of other departments and specialties, and are very accessible to nursing staff. The hospitalist can often help speed your recovery and shorten your hospital stay by following up on tests and adjusting your treatment plan throughout the day. Hospitalists have systems in place to communicate with your primary care doctor as needed – which provides a more seamless experience for the patient.
Why might I see several hospitalist physicians during my stay?
Hospitalists are a small group of specialists who are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because no single person could do this alone, they work as a team. Therefore, you may see more than one hospitalist during your stay.
What is the relationship between the hospitalist and my primary care doctor?
The hospitalist partners with your primary care doctor to administer and oversee your treatment while you are in the hospital, serving as your regular doctor until you are released. The hospitalist will see you on a daily basis and manage your condition, contacting your primary care doctor as appropriate. When you are discharged, you will return to your regular doctor or other community-based caregiver, to continue the care plan coordinated between your physician and the hospitalist.
Meet the hospitalists