A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in the care of patients throughout their stay at our hospital. Hospitalists, also known as inpatient medicine physicians, keep your personal physician and your family informed during your stay, updating them on testing, specialist care, as well as your treatment and recovery progress. The benefit of having hospitalist specialists on our staff is that you will have continual access to a physician on the hospital campus, twenty-four hours a day, and seven days a week.
If you are an emergency room patient and need to be admitted to the hospital, the emergency room physician will work with your primary care physician and a SCH hospitalist to admit you.
Upon your discharge, the hospitalist will inform your personal physician about your condition and recommend post-hospital care.
FAQs about Hospitalist Medicine
Q: Why is a hospitalist caring for me?
A: Your Quality Healthcare Physician has requested that the SCH hospitalist be in charge of your care during your hospital stay. You have the benefit of being seen by a doctor who works at the hospital full time to provide for your care and attend to any emergencies that may arise.
Q: What is the relationship between the hospitalist and my primary care physician?
A: The two doctors work together. Your primary care physician can provide information about your past health history to the hospitalist, and the two providers can discuss any significant findings and coordinate your admission and discharge.
Q: What can I expect from the hospitalist?
A: The hospitalist will be in charge of your care and will see you every day to direct your treatment while you are in the hospital. The SCH hospitalist is available to you and your family to answer questions and discuss your care. Your hospitalist may consult with other doctors (specialists) to participate in your care as needed.
Q: Who is in charge of my care once I’m discharged from the hospital?
A: Your Quality Healthcare Physician will resume caring for you once you’ve left the hospital. Your SCH hospitalist will, if necessary, write prescriptions and arrange tests prior to your follow-up visit with your doctor. Your complete hospital record is available to your QHP doctor; and your hospitalist will be available to answer any questions that you or your doctor might have about your hospital stay.
Q: What if I don’t have a primary care physician?
A: Our team works with 1DOC (a service of Sparta Community Hospital) in finding a doctor for you to see for follow-up care after leaving the hospital. Records from your hospital stay can be sent to this physician.
Our Providers
Russell Coulter, MD – Hospitalist
Carrie Lutman, FNP – Hospitalist Team
Abby Woods, FNP – Hospitalist Team