River Park hospitalists provide round-the-clock care
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According to River Park Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Randal D. Rampp, hospitalist programs are being implemented at medical facilities around the nation, and in fact, the profession is the fastest growing medical specialty in the country.
?The River Park hospitalist program started in July of 2004 at the request of outpatient physicians,? said Rampp. The program currently serves some 15 local primary care physicians, along with several nurse-practitioner clinics, allowing these facilities and doctors to devote more time to their outpatient practices, while at the same time providing comprehensive care for their hospitalized patients.
?There?s seven of us on staff,? Rampp said. ?I?m the director. All of us are internal medicine specialists and all we do is take care of hospitalized patients.?
Though many medical facilities in the region have implemented hospitalist programs, including St. Thomas, Baptist and Centennial in Nashville and Cookeville Regional, among others, there are still some misconceptions about the specialty due to its unique nature. That?s why Rampp felt it would be informative to provide answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about hospitalist programs and how these affect the patient?s stay in the hospital.
The following information is taken from a brochure by the Society of Hospital Medicine.
? What is a hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for patients in the hospital. Most hospitalists are general internal medicine physicians, family practice physicians, or pediatricians. Some hospitalists are trained as specialists in pulmonary/critical care medicine, cardiology, or other subspecialties.
? When will I see my primary care physician?
In most cases patients are referred to the hospitalist by their primary care physician when they become so sick they can no longer be cared for in the outpatient setting. During your hospital stay you will be seen by the hospitalist. You will see your primary care physician soon after discharge from the hospital. However, this does not mean a patient?s primary physician cannot see the patient during his stay. Primary care physicians can visit and check on their patients, they just don?t make regular hospital rounds.
? What are some of the benefits of hospitalist programs?
Hospitalists keep a close eye on you. In case of emergency, your hospitalist is never very far. That?s because they work in the hospital and will see you more than once a day, if needed. Your hospitalist knows every specialist and department in the hospital. Hospitalists assist you through a smooth and speedy recovery process by following up on tests and adjusting your treatment regimen through the day based on those test results.
? How will the hospitalist program affect my family?
Hospitalists are there to answer your family?s questions in person whenever possible. During critical and stressful moments, they provide honest and considerate answers to your own and your family?s questions. Since hospitalists are in the hospital 24 hours a day, they are able to spend more time talking to you and your family about your care.
? How does this program affect my primary care physician?
Because hospitalists are in the hospital all day, your doctor can be with in the office with fewer delays and interruptions. Your primary care doctor will be able to devote more time to keeping you and your family healthy. Working with a hospitalist team is a win-win proposition for patients and physicians. Using a hospitalist team enables your primary care physician to be more available to you in the office, and enables the hospitalist to be more available to care for you when you are at your sickest. With a physician in the hospital at all hours of the day and night, it?s easier for you and your family to communicate about your illness.
For more information on the program ask your primary care physician or contact River Park Hospital at 815-4000.