Patient Information

Galen Inpatient Physicians are dedicated to professional, courteous, and high quality patient health care, 24 hours a day from admission through discharge.

What is a hospitalist?
We are internal medicine physicians who specialize in providing care to hospitalized patients. As specially trained experts, we are dedicated to making your hospital stay as comfortable as possible while addressing your medical and social needs.

How does the hospitalist program work?
After consulting with your primary care physician, and in some cases the emergency room physician, it may be determined that your medical needs are best served by admitting you to the hospital. The hospitalist team will be contacted to be responsible for your care throughout your stay. From admission through discharge, we will coordinate your care. Your hospitalist will provide timely and personalized care while you are in the hospital, allowing your primary care physician to spend more time with you in the office with fewer delays and interruptions.

When will I see my primary care physician?
Primary care physicians refer to us when their patients are ill and can no longer be cared for in the outpatient setting. During your hospital stay it is possible that you may not see your primary care physician because we will be managing all aspects of your hospital care. However, your primary care physician will get a detailed report at the time of your hospital admission and hospital discharge. After discharge, your care will be returned to your primary care physician. At that point, we will communicate with your physician regarding further treatment needs. If you have any questions once you return home, we recommend you call your primary care physician’s office.

What is the benefit of having a hospitalist?
We are readily available to respond to emergencies. Your best interests and needs will be foremost in our minds. That’s because we work in the hospital round-the-clock and may see you more than once a day if needed. We have a close working relationship with specialists and hospital departments. By promptly following up on tests and adjusting your treatment regimen throughout your stay we can optimize your time in the hospital.

How does the hospitalist know about me?
We are part of a team of health care providers and information systems. We all work together to share information needed in delivering the best possible care to you. This includes direct discussion with your primary care physician, specialists, and their respective office personnel, the hospital’s medical records department, and their computerized records.

How will the hospitalist communicate with my family?
We are here to provide honest and considerate responses to your questions in person whenever possible. We are readily available to spend time talking to you and your family about your care.