Instead of seeing their primary doctor in the hospital, some patients are cared for by doctors called "hospitalists." At St. Joseph's, hospitalists are a group of doctors and nurse practitioners who are specialists in providing care for hospitalized patients.

Find out about our hospitalists

• Internal medicine hospitalists - care for patients in medical surgical and telemetry units
• Critical care hospitalists - care for patients in intensive care (ICU) and neuro-intensive care

Frequently asked questions

What is the role of a hospitalist?

Hospitalists specialize in caring for hospitalized patients. They spend their work day in the hospital and do not run a traditional clinic practice. This allows them to be more available to patients and families during hospitalization, and allows traditional primary care doctors to be more available to patients in the clinic.

Because their specialty is hospital medicine, a hospitalist's main focus is direct patient care. Additional responsibilities can include teaching, research and leadership related to hospital medicine.

Are hospitalists and intensivists at St. Joseph's board certified?

Yes, our hospitalists are board certified in their respective areas of internal medicine, family medicine or critical care with a strong focus in neurology.

Why would I see a hospitalist while I am in the hospital?

A hospitalist may care for you if:

• Your primary care doctor has entrusted your care to the hospitalists while you're in the hospital.
• Your primary care doctor is not on the St. Joseph's medical staff.
• Your primary care doctor does not round at St. Joseph's.
• Your admitting physician requests a consult from the hospitalists.
• You don't have a primary care physician and the Family Medicine Teaching Service is full.
• Your medical needs require the care of a neuro-intensivist in the ICU.

How will the hospitalist know anything about me and who will take care of me after I am discharged?

With your permission, the hospitalist team will contact your primary doctor to notify him or her that you have been admitted and to get information about your health history.

The hospitalist will be in close contact with your primary and specialty care doctors to collaborate and ensure that you receive top quality care while you are at St. Joseph's.

When you are discharged, a member of the hospitalist team will contact your primary doctor to share any post-hospitalization needs. Once out of the hospital, you will continue to be cared for by your primary physician.

If you did not have a primary doctor when you were admitted to the hospital, the hospitalist team will work closely with you and a social worker to assist you in selecting a primary care doctor to see in follow-up.

What can I expect from the hospitalist?

You can expect the hospitalist to visit you at least once each day to manage your care. When necessary, the hospitalist will come back to see you a second time during the day to answer questions or further progress your care. If you or your family wants to speak with the hospitalist, a meeting is easy to arrange and hospitalists are available around the clock.

What are the benefits of having a hospitalist manage my care?

• Well-managed and coordinated care
• Timely responses to test results and lab values
• Multiple visits in a day (as necessary) to attend to your medical needs
• Easier access to the hospitalist for communication
• Family and interdisciplinary care conferences, as needed
• Timely communication with your primary doctor (usually upon admission, if there are significant changes in your condition and at discharge)
• A well-coordinated discharge plan with a referral back to your primary doctor
• 24/7 access

Who do I call with questions about the hospitalist program?

To reach a physician on duty, call the hospitalist referral line at 651-326-3700.

To speak with the Care Coordinator for the hospitalist service, call 651-326-3818.