Hospitalist

What do hospitalists do?

Hospitalist (HOS-pih-tuh-list) is a medical doctor who manages and coordinates the daily medical care of patients while they are in the hospital. A hospitalist may also supervise and teach medical students, interns, residents and fellows sometimes. A patient’s personal doctor will work with a hospitalist to care for his or her patient while the patient is in the hospital.

Hospitalists aim to reduce the confusion of a hospital stay and guide patients through their treatment. Although they are physicians, hospitalists don’t have an office practice. Instead, they serve as the single point of contact for a patient moving through the hospital, from admittance to discharge—and beyond.

Conditions treated

Hospitalist physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions and illnesses seen in hospitalized patients.

• Take patient’s medical history and perform a physical exam
• Document and update charts and patient information
• Order tests and procedures
• Review test results to identify abnormal findings
• Perform any procedures such as arterial line, central venous line placement
• Consult specialists
• Recommend, design, and implement a treatment plan

Tests and procedures

Some of the tests and procedures performed by hospitalists include:

• Blood tests
• Admission history and physical examination
• Discharge summaries
• Preoperative evaluation
• Electrocardiogram interpretation
• Imaging studies such as Chest X-rays, CT scan, MRI scan, Ultrasound
• Arthrocentesis
• Thoracocentesis
• Abdominal paracentesis
• Lumbar puncture
• Central line placement
• Endotracheal intubation and
• Ventilator management

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