Hospitalist
What is a hospitalist?
Hospitalists are doctors dedicated to the general medical care of hospitalized patients. These specialized physicians focus exclusively on patients admitted to the hospital.
At Pioneer, our team of hospitalists provide comprehensive care solutions based on quality and efficiency during the patient’s entire length of stay.
Our approach is guided by the Three Pioneer pillars
Teamwork
Compassion
Patient-Centric Care
How Hospitalists Improve Care for Patients
Hospitalists play an integral role in improving and enhancing patient care and recovery. Through a hospitalist care model, we improve efficiency, access to primary care, and alignment between medical staff. This model continues to help hospital facilities reduce delays in admissions, treatment, discharges, and the length of stay.
At Pioneer, our approach is guided by three core principles: teamwork, compassion, and patient-centric care. Pioneer’s operating model ensures physicians are accessible, informed leaders for coordinating treatment via:
- Multidisciplinary Rounds (MDR)
- Physician and Nurse Rounds (MD/RN)
- Complex Care Rounds (CCR)
- Tools for standard work
- Focus on quality measures
- Dedicated observation units (Ocala, Zephyrhills, Kissimmee, and Tampa)
- Use of business cards as a tool to connect the Physician to the patient and their family members
History of Hospitalists
Hospitalists emerged in the mid-1990s as a response to the increasing complexity of inpatient care, as well as the need for more efficient hospital management. In 1996, Drs. Robert Wachter and Lee Goldman adopted the term “hospitalist” in an article for the New England Journal of Medicine, further creating awareness around the need for this new role.
The goal of the new role was to improve patient care in hospitals by having dedicated physicians to specialize in managing overall treatment. This potential to enhance patient outcomes, streamline hospital operations, and reduce costs has made hospitalists increasingly beneficial in today’s healthcare industry.
Hospitalist vs PCP
Unlike primary care physicians, hospitalists focus solely on the care of hospitalized patients. This care does not extend to outpatient services. However, through real-time patient review and continuous care around the clock, hospitalists are able to identify and recommend suitable outpatient treatment and PCP services should patients require additional treatment after a hospital stay.
