Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - (Page 52)

Available Just for You! Hospitalists offer inpatient care at PCRMC By SOMER OVERSHON I Nurelign Abebe, M.D. Todd Riggs, M.D. f you’ve been admitted to the hospital lately, you may have noticed you were cared for by a hospitalist, a physician who is board-certified in internal medicine and specializes in caring for patients in the hospital. “Hospitalists go through the same residency and certification as other internal physicians,” says Nurelign Abebe, M.D. “The only difference is that we do not treat patients outside of the hospital. Our job is to remain at the hospital and make rounds.” The benefits of hospitalists are numerous: They are conveniently available to talk with family members; are able to order and follow up on labs and tests; can coordinate patient care with nurses; and see patients more than once a day, if necessary, to make sure care is going according to plan. the hospital, so we are able to track test results and order the appropriate follow-up care, promptly and efficiently.” Since hospitalists are specialized in hospital procedures, they’re readily available for all aspects of patient care and organize the communication between other physicians and the nursing staff. “One of the best things about being a hospitalist is I am always there if there is an immediate patient need, and I can respond quickly,” says Dr. Riggs. “Also, many times the patient’s family will have questions, so I am accessible to talk with them during my shift.” ... AND ONLY THE HOSPITAL So the next time you or a loved one are admitted to the hospital, don’t be surprised if you are greeted by a hospitalist. “Some of our patients have never heard of a hospitalist,” says Dr. Abebe. “We are happy to explain to them what we are and how we help manage their care while in the hospital.” Sometimes the patients are so satisfied with the hospitalist’s care that even they request to have the hospitalist as their PCP. “Unfortunately, we cannot be a patient’s PCP; our care ends once the patient is discharged from the hospital,” says Dr. Riggs. “However, we are always more than willing to help a patient establish care with a local PCP.” THEIR ‘OFFICE’ IS THE HOSPITAL ... Although a hospitalist actively manages inpatient care, he or she is not a primary care physician (PCP). “Some patients prefer to have their PCP see them while in the hospital or help coordinate their care, and we are happy to do so,” says hospitalist Todd Riggs, M.D. “We communicate with the PCPs while the patients are in the hospital, and then once they are discharged, the PCP resumes total care.” The profession is relatively new to the medical field, but many hospitals now employ hospitalists because they have been found to be beneficial to the patients. “Hospitals that employ hospitalists typically show patient stays in the hospital are reduced,” says Dr. Abebe. “Our ‘office’ is TOOLS “Hospitalists go through the same residency and certification as other physicians. The only difference is that we do not treat patients outside of the hospital. Our job is to remain at the hospital and make rounds.” — hospitalist NureligN abebe, M.D. 52 Vim & Vigor • FALL 2 012 PCRMC’s “Find a Doctor” tool lets users discover their perfect healthcare provider, whether you’re looking for a family practitioner or a specialist in anything from head (ophthalmology) to toe (podiatry). Find it on the home page at pcrmc.com. To learn more about hospitalists, call 573-364-9000. Find the Right Doctor Today! http://www.pcrmc.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center
Contents
Opening Thoughts
The Innovator
Snore No More
30 Days to Better Sleep
I Can’t Ask My Doctor That!
He Said, She Said
Hold On to Your Health
Still A Screening Star
Your Joints: An Owner’s Manual
Weighing Your Options
No Greater Gift
Weather Alert
Virtual Health
Remaking a Statement
The Highest-Tech Heart Care
Available Just for You!
Age Is Just a Number
Foundation
Auxiliary

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center