24/7 Care: Hospitalist Services at Culbertson
If an inpatient stay is in your immediate future, you may question whether you’ll receive the care and attention you require. Cookie-cutter treatment or simply feelings of being forgotten are understandable fears, but the reality is much different. Round-the-clock, personalized inpatient care is guaranteed at Culbertson Memorial Hospital thanks to medical specialists known as hospitalists. We talked to Hospitalist Elizabeth Birdsley, APRN to learn more about the Hospitalist Program, how it benefits patients, and how Culbertson is leveraging new technologies to expand hospitalist services.
What is a hospitalist? What sets hospitalists apart from other providers?
A hospitalist is a provider that delivers daily comprehensive, collaborative, evidenced-based medical care to a hospitalized patient from admission to discharge. Care of the patient is managed by the hospitalist, who collaborates with the direct care team — which consists of other providers from nursing, pharmacy, lab, imaging, therapy, and discharge planning — and consults specialists when needed.
What are some of your duties as a hospitalist?
Hospitalists review the patient’s health history and current condition, order and interpret labs and imaging to form a diagnosis, and order medication and treatments to manage the patient’s condition. They engage in ongoing evaluation of the patient’s condition and determine treatment modalities and adjustment of medications and treatment pending patient response. Care coordination with specialists and primary care providers ensures a well-formed discharge plan is developed for the patient’s specific needs. Hospitalists also respond to medical emergencies within the hospital to assist with stabilizing the patient.
How do patients benefit from hospitalist care? What about other providers?
Patients benefit from the Hospitalist Program because they have a trained provider readily available 24/7 for emergent situations. The Hospitalist Program provides continuity of care for a variety of medical issues with daily evaluation and treatment modification. Hospitalists also have a comprehensive view of the patient’s current condition and needs to facilitate a safe transition to discharge, coordinating with the patient’s primary care provider to assist with a smooth transition to outpatient treatment and continued care requirements.
How does meeting with a hospitalist enhance the patient experience at Culbertson?
Patient care at Culbertson Memorial Hospital is enhanced by the Hospitalist Program because they receive prompt, in-depth, high-quality care in their local hospital rather than traveling to a larger facility out of town. With a smaller environment, the care and coordination are more individualistic and personalized to each patient. Additionally, a smaller provider-to-patient ratio ensures patients still receive high-quality care with a personal touch 24/7.
Tell us about the telehospitalist service at Culbertson. What is it and how is it used? What advantages does the telehospitalist service offer?
Telehospitalist coverage is coming soon to Culbertson Memorial Hospital. This program is the same as the in-person Hospitalist Program, but the hospitalist will round with nursing staff through telemedicine technology. Providers are based in various areas of the country, but are available 24/7 for any questions, concerns, or condition changes.
Count on the compassionate, round-the-clock medical care from the Culbertson team. Learn more about Elizabeth Birdsley, APRN or call (217) 322-4321 for more information about the Hospitalist Program.