Eastern Hospital Medicine, P.C.

What is a hospitalist?

In the past, hospitalized patients were usually cared for by their primary care physicians. But today, the vast majority of patients are admitted to a hospitalist instead. A hospitalist is simply a physician who provides cares for hospitalized patients only. During an inpatient stay, the hospitalist functions as a primary care provider for the patient.

EHM hospitalists provide general medical care for adult inpatients at St. Vincent's East and the Noland Hospital of Birmingham. When needed, we also involve medical and surgical consultants who can provide subspecialty assistance. Hospital care is complex, and it is usually delivered by a large team of healthcare providers from many different disciplines. EHM hospitalists coordinate this care. Following hospital discharge, we relay vital information about your stay to the providers you will be following up with. This facilitates a smooth transition back to the outpatient setting.

The role of nurse practitioners

There is a critical shortage of physicians in our country, and in many settings this simply means that fewer patients receive care. But when other physicians say no, EHM providers say yes. We strive to deliver timely, caring attention to every patient we are asked to care for. And CRNP's (Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners) help EHM physicians to do just that.

A CRNP is not a substitute for a physician. Rather, they serve to extend the physician's capabilities and enable care that is more prompt, thoughtful and efficient. CRNP's interview and examine patients, review lab and test results, and formulate treatment plans much as a physician does. And when results are abnormal or other clinical needs arise, appropriate care can be initiated much earlier when it is delivered by a collaborative team. At EHM, we believe CRNP's play a vital role in the delivery of exceptional inpatient care.