COVINGTON, La. — Lakeview Hospital has implemented a new hospitalist program in partnership with Apogee Physicians, a national hospitalist group. Lakeview welcomes 14 new providers with the program.
“This new program will enhance the overall hospital experience of our patients with more communication, which builds trust for the patient and family,” said Dr. Jacques Guillot, Lakeview chief medical officer. “The hospitalists will work hand in hand with the patient’s primary care physician to provide the patient with seamless care when hospitalization is necessary. In addition, it allows our patients to remain closer to home for medical care.”
Hospitalists are doctors who focus on comprehensive patient care inside a hospital. They provide management of care from the moment a patient enters the hospital through discharge back to a primary care physician. They receive specialized training in providing acute medical care, ordering and evaluating diagnostic tests, coordinating care between specialists, providing palliative care, and arranging transition of care.
Hospitalist programs are designed to provide patients with consistent, full-time care for the duration of a hospital stay, allowing primary care physicians to focus solely on the outpatient needs of patients.
“The use of a physician who only cares for patients admitted to the hospital is one of the fastest growing medical specialties,” said Dr. Dunni Adetoba, Apogee Physicians program director. “By providing a continuity of care, we are seeing improved clinical outcomes, reduced mortality rates, enhanced care coordination, and prevention of hospital-acquired infections. The result is safer, higher quality care for hospitalized patients.”
