Hospitalist Program

What is a Hospitalist?

Hospitalists are doctors who devote their practice to the care of hospitalized patients.  The Hillcrest hospitalists see hospitalized patients who have been referred from community primary care doctors, emergency room doctors or other physicians at the hospital.  They do not see patients outside of the hospital.

How does the Hospitalist practice?

The hospitalist will be in charge of your care and will see you every day, directing your treatment while you are hospitalized.  This doctor is available to you and your family to answer questions about your treatment options.  The hospitalist works at the hospital full-time managing patients and attending to emergencies that may arise.  They will keep in contact with your primary care physician and specialists to ensure you are receiving the best and most appropriate care.  Your hospitalist will make arrangements for any prescriptions you may need when you are discharged.  You may be asked to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or other doctors after you are discharged from Hillcrest.  If you do not have a regular primary care physician, we will assist you in obtaining a doctor for follow-up care.

Why is a Hospitalist caring for me?

Your own primary care physician may request that a hospitalist be in charge of your care during your hospital stay.  This gives you the benefit of being seen by a doctor whose practice is entirely focused on the treatment of hospitalized patients.  Additionally, this can enable your primary care doctor to be more available to you in the office, rather than traveling back and forth between the office and the hospital. The hospitalist will be in charge of your care and will see you every day, directing your treatment while you are hospitalized.  This doctor is available to you and your family to answer questions about your treatment options.  The hospitalist works at the hospital full-time managing patient and attending to emergencies that may arise.