Why A Hospitalist Program?
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center created its hospitalist program in 2000 to improve patient care. Although the use of hospitalists is relatively new in the United States, it is common in other countries such as England and Canada. The number of hospitalists working nationwide has expanded from a few hundred in the mid-1990s to an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 today.

What Does A Hospitalist Do?
A hospitalist is an acute-care specialist physician who manages your care in the hospital. Usually trained in internal medicine, a hospitalist has the skills and expertise needed to provide care tailored to meet the unique needs of hospitalized patients and their loved ones.

Because a hospitalist treats only patients staying in the hospital, he or she is more accessible to manage your care. A hospitalist can help you achieve a smooth, speedy recovery by following up on tests and adjusting your treatment throughout the day as necessary. Hospitalists are also close-by in case of an emergency and are often able to spend more time talking with you and your loved ones about your care.

Our hospitalists are available to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They know that the key to providing quality care is excellent communication. The hospitalists at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center stay in close contact with your primary care physician when you are admitted to the hospital, during your stay and when you are discharged. The transition from your primary physician to the hospitalist and back again will be seamless and almost unnoticeable.

If any major issue occurs during your hospitalization, a hospitalist will discuss it with your primary care physician. Your primary doctor is kept up to date of any changes in your condition. Of course, your primary care doctor can contact the hospitalist at anytime during your stay to learn about your progress.

Going Home
When you are discharged from OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, your primary care physician will resume the management of your medical care. To make this transition as smooth as possible, your primary care doctor will have direct access to all medical records from your hospitalization. To continue your care with as little interruption as possible, the hospitalist will recommend a specific time when you should begin follow-up care with your primary physician. It is essential that you call your doctor's office to arrange your post-hospitalization appointment.

Benefits of a Hospitalist

• Hospitalists specialize in meeting the needs of people who are being cared for during a hospital stay.
• By serving as a centralized resource for information and patient care, hospitalists can help reduce the length of hospital stays while improving the quality of care.
• Your hospitalist is available to answer any questions that you or your family may have.
• While you are a patient at OSF Saint Anthony, you will usually be seen by only two hospitalists during your entire stay.
• Your hospitalist is very knowledgeable about the services available at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center.
• Your hospitalist works closely with your primary care physician, other medical specialists and medical center staff to coordinate medical services to meet your needs.
• Your hospitalist allows your primary care physician to have more time to meet your needs after you are discharged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a Hospitalist Physician?
A. A Hospitalist Physician is trained in Internal Medicine and focuses his or her practice exclusively on adult inpatient care.

Q. Who is cared for by a Hospitalist?
A. A hospitalist is available to care for the following types of patients:

• Patients who do not have a primary care physician.
• Patients from other areas who do not have a local primary care physician.
• Patients of local physicians who have decided to use the hospitalist service to increase the time they have to spend with you and other patients in their office.

Q. If I have a primary care physician, either in the local area or out-of-town, will my doctor be involved in my medical care?
A. Though communication will take place regularly between your hospitalists and your local primary care physician during your hospital stay, the hospitalist will serve as your attending physician of record during your stay at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. The hospitalist will take your history, assess your condition and create a treatment plan.

Q. What happens when I am discharged from the medical center?
A. When you are ready to be discharged, a discharge plan will be completed by the hospitalist and forwarded to your primary care physician. Afterward, you will receive follow-up care with your primary care physician.