What is a Hospitalist?
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At Lake Charles Memorial Health System, our top priority is ensuring that every patient receives the right care at the right time. That’s why we have a team of hospitalists on staff. A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in treating patients while they are in the hospital.
Hospitalists are more than doctors who care for patients during a hospital stay. They are medical experts focused exclusively on inpatient care, ensuring that your treatment plan is closely monitored and seamlessly coordinated with your personal physician, specialist and nursing staff.
What is a Hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a doctor who specializes in caring for individuals admitted to the hospital. Unlike traditional physicians who split time between office visits and inpatient rounds, hospitalists dedicate their full attention to hospitalized patients. This means they’re available on-site—day or night—to respond quickly, adjust treatments, and collaborate with specialists and nurses.
Why Hospitalists Matter
Having a hospitalist on your side brings unique advantages like:
- Expertise in inpatient medicine. Hospitalists are highly trained in managing the complex conditions that require hospitalization.
- Around-the-clock availability. With physicians on duty 24/7, you have access to timely care whenever it’s needed.
- Faster recoveries. By monitoring results, adjusting treatments promptly, and coordinating with care teams, hospitalists help reduce unnecessary delays and keep your care moving forward.
- Streamlined communication. From admission through discharge, hospitalists keep your personal doctor updated so that you experience continuity of care.
Working with your Primary Care Doctor
Think of your hospitalist as your doctor’s partner inside the hospital. When you are admitted, the hospitalist becomes your day-to-day physician—checking in frequently, managing your treatment plan, and communicating updates. Once you’re ready to go home, your care transitions smoothly back to your primary care provider or another community-based physician.
If you don’t have a regular doctor, our team will help connect you with one after your hospital stay, ensuring you have consistent support beyond the hospital walls.
Supporting Patients and Families
We know a hospital stay impacts more than just the patient—it touches families too. That’s why we encourage family members to join in conversations, ask questions, and stay informed. Hospitalists are committed to clear communication and invite families to participate in the care journey.
Billing and Insurance
During a hospital stay, patients typically receive separate bills for hospital services and physician services. The hospitalist’s bill will outline the specific care provided, ensuring transparency for both patients and families.
A Team Approach to Better Care
Because hospitalists work as a dedicated group, you may see more than one physician during your stay. This team-based model ensures uninterrupted coverage and consistency of care—every hour, every day.
At Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, our hospitalist program reflects our commitment to personalized, patient-first care. By blending round-the-clock expertise with seamless coordination, we ensure every patient’s hospital experience is safe, efficient, and compassionate.
