Hospitalists

As a hospital patient, you may benefit from the care of one of our special, hospital-based physicians - or hospitalists - who is on site around the clock to provide treatment to you in coordination with your primary care doctor or admitting physician.

What is a hospitalist?

A hospitalist is a physician specialist who is trained in internal medicine or family medicine, and whose practice is focused only on providing hospital medicine. The hospitalist acts as a "partner" with your physician during your hospital stay, providing regular communication about your condition and treatment plan.

Baptist Health's Hospitalist Program is unique in that we provide the only hospital-based physician service with 24-hour, seven-day-a-week coverage. The Baptist Health Hospitalist Program is comprised more than 20 highly qualified, board-certified or board-eligible hospital medicine specialists located at Baptist Medical Center Downtown, Baptist Medical Center Beaches and Baptist Medical Center South.

What is a hospitalist's role in my care? What are the benefits to me?

For a primary care physician, one of the most difficult decisions to face is choosing between a full schedule of office patients and when to visit seriously ill hospitalized patients. The Baptist Hospitalist Program supports your primary care doctor by allowing him or her to focus on seeing patients in the office.

Our hospitalists are immediately available to see hospitalized patients and keep family members informed. When necessary, they may see patients several times during the day or evening. Tests that are performed in the morning can normally be reviewed the same day by the hospitalist and shared with patients immediately. Patients benefit from coordinated, timely and efficient care, which may result in an earlier discharge.

How will the hospitalist know about my condition?

If your primary care doctor refers you to a hospitalist, your medical records can be shared. In this way, your current health conditions will be known. The hospitalist will examine you and update your medical history, as well as coordinate all other exams, tests and treatments while you are in the hospital.

Does the hospitalist talk to my physician?

Hospitalists are immediately available and in contact with your primary care doctor at admission, discharge and other important times.

What happens after I am discharged from the hospital?

A hospitalist only treats patients in the hospital. Therefore, following your discharge, you will return to the care of your own physician. The medical records from your hospital stay will be provided to your doctor before your first follow-up appointment to ensure continuity of care.

What if I don't have a primary care physician?

If you do not have a primary care physician, please call Baptist Health at 904.202.CARE (2273) for a physician referral.

For more information about the Baptist Health Hospitalist Program, please call 904.348.0974.