Hospital Medicine

Our Team:

• For Patients
• For Healthcare Professionals

For Patients

What is a hospitalist?

The hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. Just like your primary care doctor, hospitalists train in internal medicine. However, because hospitalists do not work outside the hospital, they can focus all their attention on their inpatients.

The hospitalist manages your course of care, coordinating and consulting with specialists who work with your primary care doctor, closely monitoring your progress, and staying in touch with you, your family and your doctor.

How does the hospitalist work with my doctor?

Since your primary care doctor spends most of the day in their office, he or she cannot always be at your bedside when emergencies or concerns arise. For many patients and physicians, working with a hospitalist is a win-win proposition. Using a hospitalist team enables your physician to be more available to you in the office after discharge, and while at Lenox Hill Hospital, a hospitalist will be on site and available to see you continuously throughout the day.

After your admission to the hospital, your primary care doctor communicates with the hospitalist about your condition and transfers the management of your care to our team. The hospitalist develops a plan with your primary care doctor, who is updated regularly on your progress.

Before you aredischarge from the hospital, the hospitalist consults with your doctor to plan your future course of care. This two-way communication between the hospitalist and your primary care doctor enables a smooth transfer of care when you return home.

How can the hospitalist benefit me?

Having a hospitalist on staff is like having your doctor down the hall from your bedside. If you or family members have any questions, the hospitalist can see you throughout the day. Your hospitalist knows every specialist and department in the hospital, ensuring timely follow up of treatments. The result is high quality care for you!

Is the hospitalist always available?

The hospitalist is working full time at Lenox Hill Hospital without competing outside demands.

What if my family has questions?

An important benefit of the hospitalist service is increased availability. Your hospitalist is here to respond in person to you and your family. During stressful moments, your hospitalist will be there to provide timely answers to questions.

What happens when I leave the hospital?

If you need further information or assistance post discharge, please call 212-434-2140 from 8am to 4pm, or after hours at 212-434-5858. The hospitalist will assist in providing a seamless transition when you leave the hospital.

The hospitalist will also ensure that your hospital records and necessary documentation will be in your primary care doctors’ hands before your first follow up visit. If you do not have a primary care physician, we will aid in making appropriate arrangements.

If you would like to learn more about our hospitalist program, please call (212) 434-2140.

For Healthcare Professionals

Hospitalists are physicians whose primary professional focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. Their activities include patient care, teaching, research, and leadership related to Hospital Medicine. Hospitals are increasingly seeking answers to problems related to patient safety and quality. Many studies published in major medical journals have demonstrated the benefits of having these types of physicians in medical facilities. They practice in a majority of hospitals in New York City, as well as around the nation.

Hospitalists are also members of the fastest-growing medical specialty in the country. There are now 15,000 hospitalists working in the United States, with that number expected to grow as high as 30,000 within the next five years. There is an established medical society (Society of Hospital Medicine — www.hospitalmedicine.org), inroads towards a unique certification, and recognized training tracks. Hospitalists are becoming well-known members in the "house of medicine."

To learn more about our hospitalist program, please contact us at 212-434-2140