Patients at Mon General Hospital often receive treatment from physicians known as hospitalists.

A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for patients admitted to the hospital. Hospitalists provide coordination of in-hospital care to help patients achieve the best outcomes and quickest recoveries possible. The hospitalist field is a relatively new health care specialty. The program developed as a result of increasing demands to provide specialized and multidisciplinary care for hospitalized patients during a time of rapid expansion of health care costs and technological advancements. The goal of a hospitalist program is to ensure that patients receive proper and efficient medical care during their hospital stay.

Mon General Hospital’s hospitalist program involves a team of health care providers specifically trained to monitor and treat patients during their hospital stays. These physicians are trained in Internal Medicine and other specialties and have experience and expertise in a wide range of diseases and medical conditions. They also have immediate access to specialist physicians when needed. Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are also utilized in caring for the patient. These doctors, physician assistants, nurses and staff members remain on site, which ensures that patients receive coordinated medical care.

When a patient is admitted to Mon General Hospital, the hospitalist supervises the patient’s care, consulting with the patient’s primary care physician about treatment as needed. Because the hospitalist is based at the hospital, he or she is available to see patients as often as needed throughout the day and to keep the patient and family members updated. Hospitalist staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

After the patient is discharged from the hospital, the patient returns to his or her primary care physician for follow-up. The primary care physician is provided with a record of the patient’s treatment and discharge instructions. For patients admitted to the hospital without a primary care physician, the hospitalist can provide a referral.

The advantage of a hospitalist program is that the physicians and ancillary staff are devoted solely to the care of patients during their hospitalization. This eliminates issues that primary care doctors may face when attempting to monitor these patients outside of their medical practice.   Members of the hospitalist team are present around the clock to address issues that may arise during a patient’s hospital stay. 

Mon General Hospital’s Hospitalist Program is directed by Sanjay R. Bharti, M.D., who is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.