If you're admitted to St. Joseph's Medical Center by your St. Joseph's Medical Group of Stockton physician, your medical care will be managed by one of our specially trained Hospitalist Physicians. A Hospitalist is a physician who specializes in the care of hospitalized patients on behalf of their local primary care physicians. This means that your Primary Care Physician does not provide the hands-on medical care while you are in the hospital, but will communicate with the onsite Hospitalist to ensure familiarity with your medical history and continuity of care. Your Primary Care Physician will then resume your medical care once you are discharged from the hospital.
Why a Hospitalist?
Since Hospitalists work exclusively within the hospital, they offer many benefits:
- Rapid response in the case of an emergency
- Timely follow up on your test results and the ability to adjust your treatment accordingly throughout the day
- Spend time talking with you and your family, especially during critical and stressful moments
- Frequent communication with your Primary Care Physician regarding your past medical history, medications, lab results and more in order to ensure seamless and thorough care
Coordinating Care
When you are ready to go home, the Hospitalist will facilitate your safe discharge from St. Joseph's Medical Center by:
- Prescribing the medications you need to take when leaving the hospital
- Arranging any in-home care, if needed
- Coordinating your transition to a short-term rehabilitation facility or nursing home, if appropriate
- Sending your Primary Care Physician a summary of your hospital stay and discharge medications
- Informing your Primary Care Physician of any follow-up care
- Arranging your next appointment with your Primary Care Physician
