Ashtabula County Medical Center | ACMC Pulse | Winter 2017

SINCE 2003 , ACMC has used Hospitalists to see patients who are admitted to the hospital. The following Q&A answers the majority of questions about Hospitalists and their role in caring for our patients. Q & A SINCE 2003, Hospitalists have been overseeing the care of patients admitted to ACMC. The following are frequently asked questions about the role of a Hospitalist. Q What is a Hospitalist? A Hospitalists are board- certified or board-eligible internal medicine physicians, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners who specialize in caring for hospitalized patients in all areas of the hospital. They order diagnostic tests, make treatment decisions, monitor the patients’ condition, and coordinate patient care among hospital staff, including consultations with specialists. Q How do they differ from my primary care provider? A ACMC Hospitalists work only in the hospital. They do not have an outpatient office like your primary care provider. Hospitalists manage the diagnosis and treatment for a patient’s acute condition—the reason for being in the hospital. Primary care providers take care of acute conditions that don’t need a hospital stay, and also manage a patient’s chronic conditions like high blood pressure, and are the go-to for annual wellness visits and immunizations. Q Am I assigned a Hospitalist when I am admitted? A Unless a patient is under direct care of an ACMC surgeon or specialist, they will have at least two Hospitalists. The Hospitalists work 12-hour shifts (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.), typically for seven days in a row, so you will have a day Hospitalist and a night Hospitalist. You may have more than two Hospitalists care for you if you’re admitted toward the end of the seven-day Hospitalist schedule. The Hospitalists communicate with each other and exchange detailed information to ensure your treatment plan is followed. At the start of each shift, Hospitalists coming on-duty speak with those who are leaving to discuss any relevant medical details. For example, if a patient has experienced severe pain overnight, the Hospitalist who treated the patient will discuss the medication used, frequency of dosage, etc., and the Hospitalists will alter the treatment plan, as needed. Q How often will I see a Hospitalist? A Because there is always a Hospitalist on-site in the hospital, you will see your Hospitalist at least once a day and you may see them more often based on your medical care needs. These frequent visits allow the Hospitalist to review your treatment and adjust your plan of care if needed. And Hospitalists are more readily available to speak with your family if they have questions about your care. Q I think my Hospitalist changed my normal prescription. What should I do? A First, ask your Hospitalist why the medication was changed. The medication may need to be altered for a short period of time to avoid drug interactions with new medications you’re receiving in the hospital, or to avoid the home medication masking a symptom that would interfere with making an accurate diagnosis. When you are discharged, talk to your primary care provider as soon as possible to discuss the medication change. Your primary care provider may return you to the previous medication regimen or permanently change your medication. Q Do Hospitalists provide better care? A Research studies have shown that Hospitalists have a positive effect on patient care. Being stationed in the hospital allows Hospitalists to be available on short notice to rapidly diagnose and treat acutely ill Hospitalists: Your in-hospital care providers 12 ACMC Pulse • acmchealth.org