Hospitalist Care at CRMC
During your stay you will be examined and treated by a variety of healthcare professsionals. Among them will be a doctor known as a hospitalist. A hospitalist is a medical doctor who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of patients who require hospital care.
Our hospitalists:
are all Board certified or Board eligible internal medicine physicians, with critical care experience- are all board certified or board eligible in Internal Medicine, with critical care experience
- excel in working in the hospital environment and are trained in the latest techniques and procedures
- are available on-site at the hospital, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to care for patients
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How does a hospitalist benefit my stay at Cortland Regional Medical Center?
A. Hospitalists do not practice outside the hospital; their full attention is dedicated to your hospital care. Hospitalists function as your primary care physician during your stay: ordering diagnostic tests, planning treatment and consulting specialists when needed. A hospitalist is on-site at all times, responding immediately to test results and condition changes, which improves treatment and may decrease your hospital stay.
Q. Why is a hospitalist caring for me?
A. Your primary care physician may have requested that a hospitalist manage your care at the hospital. Or if you are without a primary care physician, we assign a hospitalist to you.
Q. Will my primary care physician know I’m hospitalized?
A. If your hospital admission process was not handled by your primary care physician, it is you or your caregiver’s responsibility to notify them.
Q. What does the hospitalist know about me?
A. After hospital admission, your primary care physician and the hospitalist review your past medical history and current condition. Throughout your stay, the Hospitalist informs your primary care physician of your progress and treatment. Remember, the hospitalist’s role is to work with, not replace, your primary care physician.
Q. When will I see the hospitalist?
A. Every inpatient is seen at least once every 24 hours. Patient visits begin early each morning and continue throughout the day. Patients with urgent care needs are seen first although a hospitalist is always on-site should your condition change. In between visits, the hospitalist is updated on your health through regular contact with your nurses.
Q. How do I contact a hospitalist during my stay?
A. If you want to speak with your hospitalist, ask a nurse to page him or her. The hospitalist’s goal is to give you high-quality care and ensure you understand your health; to answer questions and address concerns.
Q. What happens when I am discharged from the hospital?
A. When you are discharged, the hospitalist sends detailed hospitalization records to your primary care physician; together they review any further treatment needs. Upon discharge, the hospitalist will provide you with any needed prescriptions and suggest a follow-up to your primary care physician.
Q. Who do I contact for care after I leave the hospital?
A. The hospitalist only cares for you during hospitalization. Should you have questions or need assistance after you have been discharged, please contact your primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician, we can recommend one from our network.
For more information on the Cortland Regional Medical Center Hospitalist Care program, call (607) 428-5074.