Monday, December 13, 2010

Cartersville Medical Center launches new hospitalist service

 (Revised media release) A new hospitalist program with over a dozen physicians specially trained in inpatient care began recently at Cartersville Medical Center.


Specially trained in inpatient care and considered inpatient specialists, hospitalists are trained in internal, pulmonary and critical care medicine and are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Hospitalists manage and direct patient care for hospitalized patients, keeping primary care physicians informed and updated about their patients’ progress throughout their hospital stay.

Led by David Dennison, MD, the hospitalists at Cartersville Medical Center:

Assess and treat the patient’s medical condition

Coordinate the patient’s hospital care

Establish a relationship with the patient and his or her family

Are familiar with key staff in the hospital, including medical and surgical consultants, discharge planner, clergy and other employees

Consult with and coordinate the patient’s care with other specialists as needed

Review the patient’s progress with his/her primary care physician

Transition medical care back to the primary care physician once the patient is discharged from the hospital (the primary care physician then resumes care for the patient)

“We are excited about our group of hospitalists,” said Keith Sandlin, CEO at Cartersville Medical Center. “We interviewed many qualified candidates and believe we selected individuals who will be excellent for our patients as well as our physicians. I am especially pleased that Dr. Dennison – with over 25 years of inpatient experience – agreed to lead our program.”

According to Dr. Dennison, whether a patient is directly admitted to the hospital from their physician’s office, or if a patient is admitted through the emergency department, the patient’s physician will be notified of the patient’s admission. “There is in place a process by which the hospitalist service notifies the patient’s primary care physician of the admission and the diagnosis at the time of admission. The history and physical exam as well as laboratory results are available to the primary care physician by way of Cartersville Medical Center’s electronic medical record system, which is accessible from their office by secure password. When the patient is ready for discharge, changes in medication are communicated to the primary care physician and the discharge summary of the hospitalization is available to the primary care physician as well,” said Dr. Dennison. He went on to say, “Once admitted under the care of the hospitalist group, a hospitalist will be in charge of the patient’s care daily. Throughout the patient’s stay, the hospitalist will work as an extension of the patient’s primary care physician. At discharge, a smooth and safe transition of care to the outpatient setting is a high priority. Safe-guards are in place to ensure that home medication regimens are updated accurately at discharge and follow up arranged.”

For more information about Hospitalist Services at Cartersville Medical Center, please call 1.800.242.5662.

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