Pediatric hospitalists are American Board of Pediatrics Certified physicians
who specialize in caring for hospitalized pediatric and nursery patients.
They do not maintain office hours outside of the hospital.
Typically, your child can be effectively treated in your community hospital
by a board certified pediatric hospitalist for the following:
Newborn Care
I.V. Hydration
Bronchiolitis
Asthma/Moderate Respiratory Distress
Urinary Tract Infection
Pneumonia
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Pediatric hospitalists are also present for virtually all c-section deliveries.
When Will I See My Pediatrician or Family Doctor?
As in many other areas of the country, primary care physicians or pediatricians
refer patients to a pediatric hospitalist when the child is too ill to
be cared for outside the hospital.
During your child’s hospital stay, you may be seen by a pediatric
hospitalist. You should schedule an appointment with your regular doctor
soon after discharge from the hospital. Upon discharge, your child's physician
is given a summary of your child’s visit while in the hospital.
How Does the Pediatric Hospitalist Know About Me?
Pediatric hospitalists communicate with your primary care physician or
pediatrician as often as needed during your child’s hospitalization
regarding treatment. Like your physician, the hospitalist will have access
to your child’s BHS electronic medical records.
The process of entrusting your child’s care to a pediatric hospitalist
is similar to what your physician does when he or she refers you to a
specialist for additional tests or treatment.
Pediatric Hospitalists Provide Many Benefits to Your Child and Your Doctor
Hospitalists keep a close eye on your child’s health.
In case of emergency, your hospitalist is available 24 hours a day during
their hospital admission. Your hospitalist knows every specialist and
department in the hospital and guides your child’s treatment by
following up on tests and adjusting treatment regimens in an efficient
and timely manner.
Hospitalists answer your family’s questions.
During critical and stressful moments, hospitalists provide answers to
your medical questions. Since hospitalists work only in the hospital,
they are able to spend more time talking to the parents and family about
their child’s care. They don’t have to get back to their office
to see other patients.
Hospitalists help your primary care doctor be more available to you.
For many patients and physicians, working with a hospitalist team is a
more efficient process because it enables your primary care physician
or pediatrician to be more available to you in the office and enables
the hospitalist to be more available to care for your child when they
are at their sickest in the hospital.
BHS Foundation