Kirby Medical Center Hospitalists
Personalized Inpatient Care in Monticello
At Kirby Medical Center, treatment and care for inpatients is managed by
a team of hospitalists. Hospitalists are specially trained physicians
who focus on caring for patients in the hospital. They are trained in
numerous diseases and injuries that frequently require patients to stay
in the hospital. Most are board certified in internal medicine, or a similar
field, and have dedicated their careers to managing patients who are admitted
to the hospital.
Kirby’s hospitalists work closely with your physician to insure seamless
transitions from outpatient care, to an inpatient stay, and until you
are well enough to return home. The hospitalist serves as an important
point of contact between patients and their numerous care providers. As
you are transferred from department to department as your treatment progresses,
your hospitalist is the one constant who knows everyone that has treated
you during your stay in case they need to be consulted.
Benefits of Working with a Hospitalist
Hospitalists are on-site at Kirby for patient rounding each day. During
their time at Kirby, they check on patients and assure your care is going
according to plan. If you have any tests taken, a hospitalist can clearly
explain why the test is necessary and review the results with you. They
are also available to meet with your family in case they have any questions.
Kirby Medical Center hospitalists will:
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Address Concerns – You and your family will likely have numerous questions during
the course of your hospital stay. Hospitalists make frequent rounds in
the hospital and are happy to answer your questions.
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Monitor treatment – Hospitalists are able to order diagnostic and lab tests when necessary.
Your hospitalist will consult with your regular physician and test facilitators
to stay updated on how treatment is progressing, much like how a primary
physician follows up on a patient’s care after referring them to
a specialist.
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Transition patients to appropriate departments - While hospitalists do not provide ongoing primary or specialty care,
upon discharge, he/she will communicate all the information about your
hospital stay and the treatment you received with your physicians. Your
primary care physician will be notified of the plan of care and will coordinate
and manage your follow-up and treatment plan.
Hospitalist FAQ
Q: Are most hospitals using hospitalists?
A: Hospitals across Illinois and throughout the U.S. have embraced a hospitalist
model for inpatient care because it has proven to promote quality and
effective care while insuring better patient outcomes. Also, the hospitalist
is more available for communication with families.
Q: Won't I get better care from my own doctor, who knows me?
A: Your personal physician partners with Kirby’s hospitalists and
will be an integral part of your recovery from an inpatient stay. Hospitalists
work with our nursing staff to direct your care, adjust medications or
interpret test results as needed. They report your condition and their
treatment plan to your primary care provider and other physicians on your
team. Hospitalists are also specially-trained in inpatient medicine. Just
as outpatient medicine has changed over time to using specialists, inpatient
medicine has done the same with hospitalists.
Q: Will I receive a bill from the Hospitalist?
A: You will not receive a bill directly from the physician. You will receive
a bill from Kirby Medical Center for the care the hospitalist provides
to you, along with the other services you received while at Kirby.
Q: Does insurance cover the cost of Hospitalist?
A: Insurance policies that have hospital-stay coverage typically cover
the physician care during that stay and this would include the services
provided by a hospitalist. Kirby Medical Center accepts all major insurance
plans as payment. If you have any questions about your bill please don’t
hesitate to contact our billing department. We believe in providing the
highest quality care possible for everyone, regardless of their ability
to pay which is why we encourage you to learn more about the
Kirby Financial Assistance Program Information.
Q: How can I prepare for hospitalization?
A: You can prepare for your hospital stay by writing down a list of your
current medications, allergies, medical conditions, and ongoing treatments.
It is also in your best interest to write down the names and contact information
of physicians you visit on a regular basis. In case of emergencies, discuss
Advance Directives with your family members. Additionally, we advise you not to bring any
valuables with you such as jewelry or cash. Your safety and security are
our number one priority.