Hospital Medicine
What's the Purpose of Hospital Medicine?
Hospital medicine specialists, or hospitalists, handle the comprehensive medical care of hospitalized patients who are acutely ill. Hospitalists work closely with your primary care physician to coordinate your care within the hospital setting.
By focusing their expertise on inpatients, hospitalists are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses hospitalized patients commonly face. They work closely with nurses, specialists, hospital staff and a patient’s own primary care provider, providing timely information to you and your family, personal service and a smooth care experience.
What Should I Expect?
Like any other doctor, a hospitalist will visit you daily to monitor progress and answer questions. If concerns arise between visits, your nurse will contact the hospitalist team. At discharge, your hospitalist will explain your home care plan and prescribe any necessary medications. The hospitalist will schedule a follow-up visit with your primary doctor, sending a detailed report with test results.
Benefits of Hospitalists
Hospitalists enhance communication with other specialists and service departments, such as lab and radiology, while keeping your primary doctor in the loop. They respond quickly to changes in condition or to new test results – adjusting your care plan on the spot. They can also help with wait time for tests, results and consultations – often speeding your recovery and shortening your hospital stay.
Hospital Medicine and Children’s Health
Pediatric hospitalists specialize in caring for hospitalized infants, children and teenagers. Our goal is to help your child return to good health and transfer their care back to your pediatrician following hospitalization. We have services available at three hospitals within our children’s health network: Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Lafayette and St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe.
More About Pediatric Hospitalists
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What Do Pediatric Hospitalists Do?
They are Board Certified doctors who lead the team of doctors, nurses and other medical care team members while your child is hospitalized. Our team is on-site 24/7 and can quickly provide care if there is an emergency. The goal is to help your child recover so that their care is transferred back to your pediatrician after hospitalization.
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Who Else Provides Care During a Hospital Stay?
A physician assistant (PA) may assist the doctor in providing your child’s medical care. A subspecialist doctor may be part of your child’s medical care team to offer recommendations based on their areas of expertise.
At Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, which is one of only a few accredited pediatric teaching hospitals in the U.S., your child’s medical care team may also have the benefits of a senior resident (a doctor in their final years of specialty medical training), an intern (a doctor in their first year of medical training after medical school) and a medical student in their third or fourth year of medical school. Interns and medical students are all under the supervision of a lead doctor.
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When Will I See the Hospitalist and Medical Care Team?
Every day may be different, but a typical schedule looks like this:
6:30 - 8:30 a.m.: Residents and medical students begin visiting each patient to plan for the day’s care
9 - 11:30 a.m.: Your hospitalist will lead family-centered rounds with your entire medical care team to review each day’s plan of care.Members of the team may stop by throughout the day to check on your child’s condition and answer any questions you may have. You are welcome to write down any questions and ask them as often as needed.
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What are Family Centered Rounds?
These are bedside visits that involve information sharing between your child’s medical care team and you. Other than your doctors, team members who may join include your nurse and others involved in your child’s care, such as pharmacists and nutritionists. Our goal is to make sure parents and caregivers are partners with the medical care team. Making decisions together is in the best interests of your child and family. These visits can also serve as teaching opportunities. This is the best time to ask your questions since many team members will be available to answer.
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How does the Medical Care Team Work with My Child’s Pediatrician?
We will communicate with your child’s pediatrician so he or she knows what is happening while your child is in the hospital. Your child’s pediatrician is welcome to contact the hospitalist at any time to discuss your child’s plan of care.