Hospitalist Care

Personalized Care During Your Hospitalization

When you are admitted to the hospital, a hospital medicine doctor, also known as a hospitalist, manages your care. These doctors are experts in general medicine, internal medicine, primary care and recovery after surgery.

At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and our partner community hospitals, hospitalists ensure you receive the care, tests and treatment you need.

What is a Hospitalist?

A hospitalist is a doctor who cares for patients while they are in the hospital. BIDMC hospitalists work on the inpatient medical and surgical floors 24 hours a day.

These doctors work closely with you, your family members and other doctors and specialists involved in your care.

Hospitalist physicians provide many forms of support:

• Coordinate your care with your primary care physician, specialists and surgeons when needed
• Evaluate your health and progress
• Order lab tests or imaging tests and analyze results
• Organize family meetings to discuss your care and progress
• Share information about your care and answer your questions

Coordinated Care

Your hospitalist works with you and your family to give you the best care in the hospital and when you return home.

Your hospitalist communicates clearly with all members of your care team; This includes your referring or primary care doctor and care team, your outpatient doctors, and any specialists you may see for follow-up care.

When you are an inpatient, your hospitalist sends regular updates on your condition to your referring or primary care doctor, including any significant changes. When you leave the hospital, your hospitalist provides a summary of the care you received.

We also work to make sure your transition from the hospital to home goes smoothly. These care management services include:

• Coordinating any at-home care services you may need.
• Ensuring your medicine prescriptions are correct.
• Scheduling appointments for follow-up care, such as rehabilitation.