Hospitalists Strengthening Link Between Care Providers and Patients

from Practice Update, Summer 2007

Pediatric hospitalists David Fox, MD, and
Scott Canna, MD, a first-year pediatric resident. 

The Children’s Hospital implemented a Hospitalist Program early this year to enhance and support the communication between physicians, patients, families, nursing staff, ancillary services and referring providers. A relatively new area of practice, Hospitalists are physicians whose primary professional focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. Hospitalists act as a liaison between the patient and his/her primary care provider (PCP). The group recognizes the importance of maximizing communication with PCPs.

“We provide a continuum of care and reciprocal communication,” stated Jennifer Reese, MD, Director, Inpatient Medicine. “Hospitalists are dedicated solely to the care of patients while they are in the hospital. This allows us the time to communicate frequently and comprehensively with families.”

Beyond providing patient care, hospitalists are skilled in teaching and providing research and leadership related to hospital care. They provide an excellent educational opportunity for the house-staff, by having a consistent approach to care on the wards, daily schedules and education.

Dr. Reese and her team are excited to have the opportunity to create a hospitalist program inside Children’s. Currently, Children’s hospitalists work in the Network of Care locations at Wheat Ridge and Parker Adventist. “We very much appreciate the hospital’s support, and we hope to be a national leader in this area of practice in the years to come,” she explained.