Meet the Hospitalists: Specialized Care During Your Hospital Stay

When you stay in the hospital, a team of healthcare professionals works together to care for you. One important member of that team is a hospitalist—a physician who specializes in caring for patients while they are in the hospital.

“The hospitalist model is considered a best practice in healthcare because it allows physicians to focus entirely on the needs of hospitalized patients,” says Ellen Bollino, Chief Nursing Officer at Riverside Healthcare. “Having dedicated hospitalists available throughout the day helps improve communication among the care team and supports a safer, more coordinated experience for patients and families.”

At Riverside Healthcare, several hospitalist programs help provide expert care for patients of all ages.

Advance Inpatient Medicine (AIM) hospitalists

Riverside’s AIM hospitalists care for adult patients who are admitted to the hospital. They round on patients daily; oversee treatment plans; and coordinate care with specialists, nurses, therapists, and case managers.

A key part of their role is maintaining communication with a patient’s primary care provider. By sharing important information about a patient’s hospital stay and discharge plan, AIM hospitalists help ensure a smooth transition back to outpatient care and support continuity of care after patients return home.

Pediatric hospitalists

Through Riverside’s partnership with UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, pediatric hospitalists provide specialized inpatient care for children who need hospitalization.

These physicians are specially trained in caring for infants, children, and adolescents, and they work closely with a child’s pediatrician or primary care provider. This partnership allows children to receive expert pediatric care close to home while benefiting from the expertise and resources of a nationally recognized children’s hospital.

OB hospitalists

Riverside recently partnered with OB Hospitalist Group (OBHG) to provide dedicated OB hospitalist coverage on labor and delivery. OB hospitalists are board-certified obstetricians and gynecologists who are available around the clock to respond to urgent situations and support patients during labor and delivery. They work alongside Riverside Women’s Health providers and care teams to give an additional layer of support and immediate physician availability when needed. Patients continue to receive prenatal care from their chosen Riverside provider throughout pregnancy. 

Many Riverside Women’s Health providers continue to participate in the labor and delivery call schedule, while OB hospitalists help expand coverage and enhance patient safety by ensuring expert obstetric care is always available in the hospital. For more information about our hospitalists, visit RiversideHealthcare.org/providers.

 

Related Blogs: