During your hospital stay, you may be cared for by a Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group Hospitalist.
If you need to be hospitalized, your Primary Care Physician may refer you to a specialist in Hospital Medicine called a Hospitalist. The Hospitalist is a highly qualified board-certified or board-eligible physician, primarily in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine, who cares for patients inside the hospital. Since Hospitalists do not care for patients in outpatient offices, they are available to quickly respond to any changes in your condition. Their mission is to ensure that patients receive the best possible quality care during their hospital stay, from admission to discharge.
Your Primary Care Physician remains a very important part of your healthcare team. The Hospitalist and your Primary Care Physician work together to provide you with the best care possible, and are in contact as needed. Your Primary Care Physician provides the Hospitalist with information about your medical history. In turn, the Hospitalist makes certain that your Primary Care Physician receives information regarding your progress and condition during your hospitalization, as well as a complete summary upon your discharge from the hospital.
Intensivists
If you become critically ill during your hospital stay, your Hospitalist may also work with an Intensivist. An Intensivist is a board-certified physician who has advanced training and experience in treating complex cases and specializes in the treatment of critically ill patients.