What is a hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a physician whose primary professional focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. Their activities include patient care, teaching, research, and leadership related to hospital medicine. Hospitalists at Fairview Southdale Hospital are all board certified internists. The hospitalists focus on working with patients in acute care settings, instead of in a clinic, and enjoy the challenge of caring for patients with complex medical conditions.

Meet the hospitalists at Fairview Southdale Hospital
There are currently 15 hospitalists on staff at Fairview Southdale Hospital. Click here to meet our hospitalists.

Hospitalist program benefits to patients

• A hospitalist is always on site, she or he responds quickly to changes in the patient’s condition.
• Hospitalist know and work consistently with all of the members of the patient care team, including specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and nursing staff.
• A hospitalist coordinates care with all members of the care team to ensure the patient is getting the best care possible at all times.

Hospitalist program benefits to Fairview Southdale Hospital
The hospitalist program was started in 2000 and has grown significantly as the benefits of the program were quickly proven.  Unlike a clinic-based physician, hospitalists spend most of their time with hospitalized patients, so they have more experience in the care of today’s complex patients. Their extensive expertise helps them to recognize and diagnose unusual disorders, anticipate problems and rapidly respond to crises or changes in a patient’s condition. The hospitalists coordinate care with all members of the patient care team to help improve the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients at Fairview Southdale Hospital.

Hospitalist relationship with patient’s primary care physician
A hospitalist will communicate with the patient’s clinic-based doctor upon admission to and discharge from the hospital. When the patient is discharged from the hospital, the hospitalists will inform the patient’s clinic-based doctor about the medications prescribed and recommend any necessary treatments or follow-up appointments or testing.

Patient care after the hospital discharge
Upon a patient’s discharge, her or his clinic-based doctor will resume care. The hospitalist will recommend follow-up appointments and testing when appropriate. Within 24 hours of the patient’s discharge the patient’s physician will receive a detailed summary of the hospitalization. After discharge any patient questions should be referred to their clinic doctor.

Fairview Southdale Hospital Hospitalist Program
RaChelle Helmbrecht, Admissions Coordinator
Fairview Southdale Hospital
6401 France Ave S, Suite W480
Edina, MN 55435
Phone:  952-924-8463