Hospitalists are acute-care physicians who care for patients in the hospital. Like all physicians, hospitalists must complete a bachelor’s degree and medical school. In addition, they complete several years of graduate medical education.

When you are admitted to Samaritan Hospital, your primary care physician may ask the hospitalist to care for you during your stay. Once you have been admitted under the care of one of our hospitalists, he or she will be in charge of your care and will see you daily. Your primary care physician will be notified that you have been admitted, and the hospitalist will work together with your physician to ensure that you obtain the best care possible. The hospitalist will be in charge of your daily visits to access and treat your medical condition, coordinating your care with other hospital services (x-ray, lab, pharmacy, etc.) and answering your questions.

When you are discharged, your medical care will be moved back to your primary physician, who will resume responsibility for your ongoing outpatient care. Hospitalists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each hospitalist works as part of the team that cares for you while you are in the hospital.