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Hospitalist Program

Mission Statement:

To provide superior inpatient care and seamless communication for primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists. We strive to build therapeutic and long-term relationships with the patients (spanning admissions) and highly collaborative relationships with PCPs. This model allows development of a true partnership in the care of the hospitalized patient and, through direct accountability, provides excellent service to the patient and the PCP.

Organization of the Program:

• Seven hospitalists cover medical admissions 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the PCPs who elect to use the hospitalist service. Physicians referring to the hospitalist program have around-the-clock, year-round coverage for their patients.
• Hospitalists respond to inpatient emergencies for all patients regardless of the admitting physician.
• Hospitalists are also available to facilitate direct admissions to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham so that patients can avoid a trip through the emergency department. Please note that it is Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham policy that the patient needs to have been seen by the primary care provider or specialist physician within the previous 24 hours to qualify for direct admission status.
• This program is closely linked with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, so that any patient needing transfer to a tertiary care hospital gets priority in bed availability.
• Hospitalists are required to be Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified, board certified or certification eligible in internal medicine, and to complete mandatory continuing education for Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham employees.

Key Leadership:

Jennifer Baldwin, M.D. 
Acting Site Medical Director, Hospitalist Services at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham

Program Contact Information:

Phone: 617-754-0744
Email: NeedhamHospitalists@caregroup.harvard.edu

Communication with Primary Care Physicians:

• Emails to the PCP are sent on the day of admission.
• Update e-mails are sent if there is a significant change in status or if family issues arise.
• A dictated discharge summary plus a phone call or e-mail update is sent to the PCP when the patient is discharged.