Medical Hospitalist Services

Hospitalists are board certified physicians that work in the hospital to provide admissions, patient follow up, review of medical tests, and direct each patient's treatment plan. Some of our hospitalist are specialized and can perform additional prodedures and treatments.
While doing so, they remain in contact with the patient's primary care physician or specialist. When the patient is discharged, they assist in the transition of care back to the patient's primary physicians.
In order to provide the level of care you expect, Wilkes Regional Medical Center is developing this group of specialty physicians to partner with both our community physicians and patients. Our medical hospitalist will help our primary care physicians (family practice and internal medicine physicians), make better use of their time and skills.
Hospitalists are a bridge between the patient and the primary care physician. Wilkes Regional is very committed to expanding and providing a very strong, quality driven hospitalists program. We are a hospital that cares very deeply about the community and people we serve. The residents of this community that we serve can be assured that when admitted to Wilkes Regional Medical Center, under the care of a hospitalists, you will receive the highest level of quality care available in a compassionate and comprehensive manner.

Medical Hospitalists - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my doctor no longer admitting patients to the hospital?
Doctors who admit to the hospital are also responsible for being on emergency call on a rotating basis. Some primary care physicians choose to focus their practice on office-based preventive and continuity care. Doctors with privileges can also choose to admit patients and treat their own patients during their hospital stay or can choose to transfer their patients' care to a medical hospitalist.
What is a medical hospitalist?
A medical hospitalist is a physician who has specialized training in working with patients who are hospitalized. Medical hospitalists do not see patients outside the hospital, but rather they partner with your primary care provider to care for you while you are in the hospital. Medical hospitalists work with the nursing staff to direct your care while you are hospitalized. They report your condition and their treatment plan to your primary care physician while you are hospitalized.

Why is the hospital hiring medical hospitalists?
This is a national and regional trend that promotes quality and effective care insuring better patient outcomes. Today's physicians face the busiest schedule imaginable, and their office schedules often conflict with inpatient needs. Many times, the physician will begin their day at the hospital, spend a long day in the office, go to the hospital for rounding on their patients, and then be on-call all night. They start over bright and early the next morning at the hospital and the day is repeated. Hospitalists offer relief to the primary care physician and more effective care to the patient. Being on-site allows the hospitalist to respond quickly to changes in patient's condition, shortening patient's time in the hospital. Also, the hospitalist is more available for communication with families.

Won't I get better care from my own doctor, who knows me?
Your personal physician will partner with the medical hospitalists to be an integral part of your recovery from an inpatient stay. Medical hospitalists work with the nursing staff to direct your care and will be in house 24 hours per day, allowing them to adjust medications or read test results as needed. They report your condition and their treatment plan to your primary care physician while you are hospitalized and are more available to speak with you and your family.

Doesn't it seem odd that a stranger will be taking care of my family member or me?
Years ago if you were taken to the Emergency Room, your primary care physician was called to come and take care of you. This often caused extended waits and delays in treatment times. To speed up the process, specially trained Emergency Room physicians were hired and are now on-site 24 hours per day. We've now learned the many benefits of emergency room physicians-they see patients more quickly, and are more proficient at many kinds of care because of the number of people they see. Because your hospitalist spends 100% of his time taking care of patients in the hospital, he is an expert taking care of patients in the hospital. And remember that while the medical hospitalist is new to you, each hospitalist is a trusted member of our medical staff and your doctor will still be in contact with your medical hospitalist about your care.

When will the hospital have round-the-clock hospitalist coverage?
We are actively recruiting new hospitalists and increasing the hours of coverage we offer every month. We expect to have full-time medical hospitalist coverage within the next six months. Wilkes Regional Medical Center is committed to working with its medical staff to ensure the highest degree of patient care and safety. Our nursing staff, medical staff, and administrative team believe that a hospitalist program is the best way to ensure a positive experience during your stay with us. Please feel free to let us know other ways in which we can improve your care.