HASTINGS — Mary Lanning Healthcare wants to spread the word about the expansion of its Hospitalist Services program.
The Our Hospitalist Team presentation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, November 19 at The Lark, 809 W. Second St. The community will have an opportunity to ask questions about Hospitalist Services, which has been in place at MLH since 2012. Hospitalists are healthcare providers who work exclusively within the hospital setting.
Don Snodgrass, MD, FACP, MLH Hospitalist Services Medical Director, said MLH has recruited physicians, APRNs and PAs to the program because Family Medical Center of Hastings and Hastings Internal Medicine physicians recently decided to allow Hospitalist Services to care for their patients while in the hospital.
Dr. Curtis Reimer, family physician at Family Medical Center, said because hospitalists are available 24 hours a day and devote 100 percent of their time to patients in the hospital, this model will be an advantage for his patients.
“We will have ongoing, open communication with the hospitalists to assure the highest quality of care for our patients,” Dr. Reimer said. “We plan on seeing patients within one to two weeks after discharge.”
Dr. Snodgrass said the immediate availability of the hospitalist to nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and other hospital caregivers enhances communication and allows for efficient management of problems. Patients are encouraged to participate in decision-making about their treatment, creating a team-based approach toward improving the patient’s health.
“The hospitalist is immediately available to the patient and works with the patient’s primary care provider to assure a continuum of care during the hospital stay, extending to their follow-up visit after discharge,” Dr. Snodgrass said. “The hospitalists work with Social Services to ensure patients receive ongoing services after going home.”
Dr. Justin Wenberg, internist at Hastings Internal Medicine, said the hospitalist model of care is not new in other parts of the country.
“My partners and I gave Mary Lanning notice of our decision late last year,” Dr. Wenberg said. “They responded by building a robust hospitalist program. We feel confident that the program will allow for high levels of cooperation and communication to ensure seamless inpatient care and outpatient follow-up.”
Media: Please list this event on your calendar of events.