Hospitalist Program
The
Carraway Hospitalist Program is led by Dr. Monita Singh,
who specializes in the care of patients during their
stay in the hospital. Because Dr. Singh spends her entire
time in the hospital, she is available throughout the
day for admissions and emergencies. She takes care of
patients in the same manner as your internist might,
including ordering treatments, tests and consulting
with specialty physicians where appropriate. However,
once you are discharged, the care returns to the patients
primary care physician or internist. During your stay
at Carraway Methodist Medical Center, you may be cared
for by Dr. Singh. The information below may help answer
your questions regarding the inpatient Hospitalist Program
at Carraway.
Q.
What is a Hospitalist Physician?
A.
The hospitalist physician is trained in Internal Medicine
and focuses his or her practice exclusively on adult
inpatient care.
Q.
Which patients are cared for by a Hospitalist?
A.
The hospitalist is available to care for the following
types of patients:
>
Patients who do not have an established primary
care physician.
> Patients of out-of-area physicians
> Patients of local physicians who
have decided to limit their practices to outpatient
medicine.
Q.
If I have an established primary care physician, either
in the local area or out-of-town, will my doctor be
involved in my medical care?
A.
The hospitalist will be your attending physician of
record during your admission at Carraway. The hospitalist
will do your initial history and physical exam, make
an assessment of your illness, and devise a treatment
plan. Communication will occur between the hospitalist
and your primary care physician in regards to your progress
during your hospitalization.
Q.
What is the availability of the Hospitalist?
A.
Each day the Hospitalist will see you during rounds,
and be available throughout the day to answer questions.
Q.
What happens at the time of the discharge from the hospital?
A.
When you are ready to be discharged, the discharge plan
will be discussed with your primary care physician.
After discharge, you will receive follow-up care with
your own primary physician.
Q.
What if I am admitted through the Emergency Department
and do not have a primary care physician?
A.
If you do not have an established primary care physician,
post-discharge follow-up will be arranged with a primary
physician., A hospitalist program provides many benefits
to you as a patient and to your doctor. Studies have
shown that it leads to a shorter length of stay in the
hospital due to the personalized treatment and care
you will receive. It also increases patient satisfaction,
because doctors are based in the hospital to visit with
you and speak with the your family. In addition, if
an emergency occurs during a hospitalization, physicians
are on the premises and can see you right away. Non-hospitalized
patients also benefit from the hospitalist program.
Your primary care physician will be able to focus on
his or her office practice while care is being given
by the hospitalist to their patients who are in the
hospital.
CARRAWAY
HOSPITALIST PROGRAM
Monita Singh, MD
For
more information or to refer to the hospitalist, please
call (205) 502-4505.
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