What it a hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in providing care
for patients while they are hospitalized. Hospitalist physicians don’t see patients by appointment in a traditional office setting; many are internal medicine specialists, and some are family practice physicians or other specialists.
Whom do hospitalists help?
•They help patients. Hospitalists can keep a closer eye on you while you’re at West Park. They work as a tea
m to care for hospitalized patients 24 hours a day, so there always is a physician on duty. Because they don’t have outpatient practices, they’re able to visit you more. If there
| Dr. Kim Slight is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician. |
is an emergency, they’ll have the most current information
about you.
•They help hospital staff. Your hospitalist team has the advantage of working at the hospital full time and knowing
the hospital and its staff. If you need a test, they know who to call and are available to follow up on the results quickly. That means your treatment can be tailored to the most
up-to-date information.
•They help your doctor. By taking care of you while you are at West Park, hospitalists give your doctor more time for office visits.
How do they know about my specific situation?
When you are admitted to West Park, your doctor calls a
| Dr. Kathleen DiVincenzo is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician. |
hospitalist to inform him or her of your condition and
provides the hospitalist with as much information as possible about you.
The process is similar to what happens when your doctor refers you to a specialist for an opinion or additional tests
or treatment.
While you are at West Park, your doctor and the hospitalist
keep in touch about your ongoing treatment.
When you are discharged from West Park, the hospitalist will let your doctor know about any further treatment needs,
will help arrange a follow-up appointment and prescribe any necessary medications.
Finally, your hospitalist sends your medical records from West Park to your doctor.
| Dr. Clint Seger is a board-certified Family Practice physician. |
How can I contact a hospitalist after my stay?
If you have a primary care physician, he or she will be in contact with the hospitalists and be informed of all the necessary information, including records from your stay at West Park.
If you don’t have a primary care physician, your hospitalist and case manager will help you to find follow-up care.
If you have a question regarding your hospitalist physician bill, you may call West Park Hospital’s Patient Financial Services Department at 307-578-2789.
If you would like more information about the hospitalist program,
e-mail Denise Peterson at dpeterson@wphcody.org or call 307-578-2277.
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