Coverage changes by Envision Physician services hospitalist program for Franciscan Health Rensselaer went into effect on Wednesday, April 18 2018.
“Bringing this program to Franciscan Health Rensselaer and the community has been a top priority for me,” says Carlos Vasquez, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Franciscan Health Rensselaer. “The hospitalist program will improve efficiency and quality of inpatient services, and the patient experience.”
The Envision Physician Services hospitalists include seven physicians who are credentialed or are in the process of being credentialed in Rensselaer.
The Envision hospitalists that will work at Franciscan Health Rensselaer include:
Dr. Rock Tiffault
Dr. Michael Bohlin
Dr. Jaswanth Guntakandla
Dr. Joseph Varnau
Dr. Kyle Turner
Dr. D. Matthew Schwartz
Dr. Alejandro Vega
Primary care physicians (PCP) can still be a patient's primary physician during hospitalization as the decision for the hospitalist group to see a patient still falls on the PCP. The hospitalists can see any patients that the PCP refers to them, but the hospitalists do understand that some PCP's prefer to see their own patients.
Hospitalists are medical physicians who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients. Many patients are being treated by this type of doctor – a doctor who isn't their family doctor, but who is responsible for their medical care during a hospital stay.
Advantages of a hospitalist program include increased efficiency, cost-savings and most importantly, better patient care. For example, if a patient's lab test results come in at 8 a.m., after the family doctor has finished rounds, the patient may have to remain in the hospital until the family doctor returns the next morning and is able to read the results. Hospitalists are able to read test results immediately, order different test if necessary and may prevent an unnecessary stay overnight. The hospitalist program provides assurance to both physicians and their patients that ongoing and immediate care will be provided to patients during their stay.
If your physician or specialist believes that you need to be hospitalized, he or she will coordinate your admission with our hospitalist group. Once admitted, the hospitalist group will be in charge of your care and see you daily. Throughout your stay, they will work together with your physician to ensure you obtain the best care possible.
The hospitalist group will:
Assess and treat your medical condition.
Coordinate your hospital care.
Establish a relationship with you and your family.
When discharged, transition medical care back to your primary physician, who will resume the responsibility for ongoing outpatient treatment.
