Hospitalist Service
Hospitalists are specialists in hospital-based medicine
The hospitalists at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center are physicians who have completed an internal medicine or family medicine residency, are board certified in internal medicine or family medicine and have intensive care experience. In addition, our hospitalist staff includes an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) who is board certified in family nursing.
The hospitalist assumes the role of your primary care physician during your hospitalization, from admission to discharge, and is familiar with your short-term and long-term care.
The hospitalist will:
- Order tests and procedures, follow up on results and expedite adjustments to your care.
- Work closely with your team of caregivers to ensure communication, continuity of care, rapid response, quality and safety.
- Manage your pre-operative evaluation and perioperative care, if you are hospitalized for elective procedures.
- Coordinate your care with specialists, should the need arise. For example, your hospitalist would consult a cardiologist for a newly identified heart problem.
- Work with your primary care physician to develop a plan and facilitate the transition of your care back to your primary care physician after you are discharged from the hospital.
Hospitalists are readily available to you
Our hospitalists are available on-site seven days a week to provide you with timely and optimal care.
With the hospitalist working on the nursing unit every day, he or she is able to constantly assess your condition and modify the plan of care to meet your changing needs.
The hospitalist, a nurse and a clinical pharmacist will meet with you daily during patient rounds. They will spend time with you and your family discussing your plan of care and following up on results as soon as they are received.
They will meet with your entire team of caregivers, which also includes therapists, social workers, dietitians and others as appropriate for your needs. This collaborative approach to care ensures that everyone is well informed of your treatment plan and is working together with you to make the hospital experience as positive as it can be.
If you have any questions specific to your care, please ask us.
We are highly committed to patient safety and delivering high quality care.
