Before the Hospitalist program, patients might be seen by their primary care physician once a day while they were hospitalized. With the support of a primary care physician, the Hospitalist can see the patient and his/her loved ones throughout the day and night. “A patient or his family member has access to a hospitalist at any time. We’re there to support the patient’s primary care doctor. So, if there are questions about the care plan, test updates or medications, we are available to answer questions and help the patient and his relatives get the care and support they need,” adds Dr. Syed.
Hospitalist programs first began in the late 1990’s and have really flourished in the last 10 years. Studies have found that Hospitalists help to improve patient outcomes and shorten a patient’s time in the hospital. “We practice a broad range of medicine and when necessary set up patients with an appropriate specialist. Plus, we will prepare discharge plans and consult with the primary care physician. This way, when the patient goes home and follows up with his doctor, he doesn’t have to fill in any blanks,” says Dr. Syed.
In addition to the adult Hospitalist program, Lawrence Hospital Center has been providing 24/7 in-house Neonatal/Pediatric coverage to its younger patients. There are seven specially trained physicians who have been offering acute care to children since 2011. Its director is Bajrang Agarwal, MD, a board-certified neonatologist.