You're in Excellent Hands

Hospitalists focus on the provision of inpatient medicine. They manage in-hospital patients as primary care physicians manage the care of out-patients. Hospitalists spend the majority of their work day in the hospital coordinating the care of patients who need admission to the hospital. They are available on site and are experienced in addressing the unique requirements of hospitalized patients. They manage the care of hospitalized patients as referred by their primary care physicians (PCP) and patients who do not have a PCP on staff at the hospital. Patients are also referred to the hospitalist service by the Emergency Department physicians.

The hospitalists ensure quality medical coverage and continuity of care around the clock and also provide urgent and emergent care.  This is of distinct value when a patient needs to be evaluated for a problem in the middle of the night.  During your hospitalization, the hospitalist will manage all aspects of your hospital stay, including arranging consultations with specialists, and ordering tests, treatments, and medications. 

The hospitalist maintains an open line of communication with the patient's primary care physician during his or her stay. Upon discharge, the patient returns to his or her physician, who receives a detailed written summary of the patient's stay in the hospital.  If the patient had no primary care physician, the hospitalist will make an appropriate referral prior to discharge.

The greatest advantage of the program is that the hospitalists are always available to answer your questions and/or respond to any clinical care issues immediately. In addition, because hospitalists are experts in hospital care, they are aware of the latest developments in the care of hospitalized patients. 

Hospitalists provide the following care:

• Admit you to the hospital if you do not have a primary care physician or if your primary care physician is not available
• Provide ongoing medical management during hospitalization
• Provide urgent and emergent care
• Provide medical consultation on surgical cases
• Manage the medical care of psychiatic and substance abuse patients prior to safe discharge
• Manage patients transferred from the Intensive Care Unit prior to discharge
• Available to answer your questions throughout the day

Hospitalists meet daily to share information so all team members are familiar with your case. What's more, they go to great lenghts to keep your primary care physician involved in your treatment and infomred of every aspect of your illness and care. Your personal physician is apprised of your diagnosis, treatment and progress. A discharge summary is sent when you leave the hospital which includes information on your illness and treatment, test results, medications and instructions for primary care physicians should you need any follow-up care.

Is There a Charge for Hospitalist Services?
Hospitalists charge for services rendered just as any other physician. You will receive a statement from:

Main Line HealthCare
2 Industrial Blvd., Suite 102
Paoli, PA 19301

If you have questions about your bill, please contact our billing office at 610-648-1640.

	Academic Hospitalist Program at Lankenau Hospital The hospitalist staff at Lankenau Hospital is made up of a team of teaching physicians and residents who are on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn More!
	Hospital Medical Service at Bryn Mawr and Paoli Hospitals The Hospital Medical Service is staffed by Internal Medicine and Family Physicians who devote 100% of their time to caring for our hospitalized patients. They are primary members of the clinical teaching staff at the Bryn Mawr Family Practice Residency Program. Learn More!