Hospitalist

Hospitalists tend to draw a lot of confusion. Many know, for example, that UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown has a team of hospitalists who care for patients while they are in the hospital.

But do you know what they do?

UnityPoint Health – Marshallotwn’s hospitalist program, consisting of doctors and nurse practitioners, is available in the hospital 24/7 to provide the best care at the right time for you.

“It is very important to have hospitalists on-site at all times in our hospital to help take care of our inpatients,” said Dr. Russell Adams, MD, Chief Medical Officer and hospitalist at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown. “We work closely with our staff at UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital in Waterloo to ensure that we always have physicians ready to help you at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown.”

The UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown hospitalist team is available every minute of every day as it works in coordination with the UnityPoint Health—Waterloo hospitalist department.

If your doctor requests the services of a UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown hospitalist while you are in in-patient care, the hospitalist team wants to make certain that not only you are treated well, but you are comfortable.

“We want to make sure that every patient’s hospital stay is pleasant while we help them recover so they can return home as soon as possible.” Dr. Adams, a graduate of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, said. “Hospitalization can be a lot to handle for many patients, so we want to do the best job we can for them.”

While you are in the hospital, your hospitalist remains available for consultation and is kept informed of your admission, discharge and any change in your condition

After discharge from the hospital, you will be seen by your primary care or regular doctor.

Hospitalists also have expertise in caring for complex patients and illnesses. The UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown hospitalist team has specialized training to help deal with more difficult cases and is able to diagnose, treat and identify potential problems.

• Coordinate hospital care, including ordering diagnostic tests and establishing a treatment plan.
• Arrange for specialty care.
• Work with specialists for more coordinated, evidence-based, compassionate care.
• Respond--day or night--to your needs and those of your family and nurses, resulting in fewer delays in care.

When released from UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown, your family doctor receives all of the medical records from your hospital stay. The hospitalist team then arranges for a close follow-up to ensure that the ongoing treatment plan continues, even after you’ve left the hospital. A hospitalist may call you at home to ensue you understand your newly prescribed medications and any plans for follow-up appointments. They will check to make sure your health continues to improve.