Being admitted to a hospital can be stressful, but Gottlieb Hospital offers new peace of mind for patients and their families. We now have specialized physicians called hospitalists on staff to care for you during your hospital stay. Our team of board-certified physicians specializes in caring for newborns, children, adult medical and surgical patients and the critically ill while they are hospitalized. Your hospitalist carefully coordinates your care with your other physicians, beginning with a detailed handoff at the time of admission and continuing through a complete discharge summary that is faxed to your doctor's office within hours of discharge. Your doctor receives updates on every significant development during your hospital stay, and is involved in every major decision regarding your care. Since we're in the hospital 24 hours a day, we are immediately accessible whenever you, your family or your doctor needs us. We see patients as many times a day as necessary and we're always available to meet with families at the families' convenience.

What is a hospitalist?
Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in caring for patients in the hospital. At Gottlieb, board-certified pediatricians and internists are supported by neonatologists and intensive-care specialists. All hospitalists are credentialed members of Gottlieb's medical staff. They work closely with a team of nurses, therapists and discharge planners to ensure your care is provided smoothly from your admission through discharge and beyond.

How does the hospitalist know about me?
Your doctor will contact the hospitalist before you're admitted, and will be available for consultation throughout your hospital stay. Your hospitalist receives your relevant medical records, updates them during your stay, and forwards them to your doctor when you're discharged. That way, your information is shared easily and smoothly integrated into your permanent medical record.

When will I see my regular doctor?
By focusing on patients in the hospital, your hospitalist is available to you around the clock, giving you the time and attention you'll need during this critical time. After you're discharged, you'll resume seeing your regular doctor as before.

What are the advantages of having a hospitalist?
Hospitalists are in the hospital 24 hours a day. They are available day and night, and have time to talk whenever you or your family have questions or need reassurance. If there's an emergency, hospitalists are just steps away. They work every day with every department and every service in the hospital. They fully understand hospital procedures and can use that understanding to smooth the course of your treatment and recovery.

How do my hospitalist and my primary care physician work together?
Your hospitalist will consult with your primary care physician on a schedule they determine together. In addition to pre-admission and post-discharge conferences, your physicians will confer on your treatment as necessary to maintain your continuum of care and speed your recovery.