Internist Associates is pleased to
announce that effective August 1, 2008 we will be utilizing the
Hospitalist Program offered by Crouse Hospital. A Hospitalist is a
physician who works solely in the hospital in conjunction with your
physician to provide best possible care for patients that require
admission to the hospital. The Hospitalist will thoroughly update
your primary care physician on your condition through the entire length
of a hospital stay. Your doctor will be available from our office to
consult with the hospitalist on a daily basis.
There are many benefits to participating
in the hospitalist program. Hospitalists allow your primary care
physicians to know that their patients will be seen by a
board-certified internal medicine physician whenever they are needed.
Hospitalists are at the hospital 24 hours a day, which means they can
make quick decisions regarding patient care, whether it be reacting to
test results or answering any questions a patient or their family may
have. In fact, hospitalist programs result in shorter hospital stays
and lower costs.
Because your primary care physician will
not need to make hospital rounds, knowing that their patients are in
the very capable hands of the hospitalist, he or she will have more
time for office visits and routine health care. You should still
continue to call the office if you are ill or to inform your physician
of any hospital visit. Of course, in case of emergency be sure to call
911 first.