HCPro.com: Hospitalist Management Advisor

This monthly newsletter offers the latest and greatest in hospitalist management strategies and techniques. You'll learn directly from other successful hospitalist programs what works and what doesn't. You'll also receive tips and information on the topics that matter most to your professional success.

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August 2008 (Volume 4, Issue 8)	view entire issue

Making your choice: On-call overnight physicians versus 24/7 staffing
When it comes to overnight shifts, the decision to either staff your hospitalist program with around-the-clock physicians or on-call physicians can greatly affect your program's budget, staffing, and effectiveness. Although programs are increasingly choosing the 24/7 staffing route, the decision still comes down to what is best for your program, as industry experts continue to debate whether having attending physicians on the floor is always necessary.

New York hospital launches 24/7 hospitalist program with successful recruiting methods
To keep up with growth, some hospitals are expanding their hospitalist program into around-the-clock services for overnight inpatient care. It is a change that requires the support of the staff and the administration. Transitioning into a 24/7 hospitalist program can be rewarding and successful, says Dahlia Rizk, DO, one of the founders of the hospitalist program at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. In 1999, the program's goal was to treat inpatients and support teaching practices. But the program quickly grew as private physicians began to see the benefits of hospitalist care. Community centers and nursing homes began using the program instead of going to private physicians.

Improve patient discharge with low-cost strategies for hospitalist-PCP communication
Even a clear and concise discharge plan can have holes when it comes to patient care. As the medical director at Somerville (MA) Primary Care and a hospitalist at Cambridge (MA) Hospital, Richard Balaban, MD, understands both sides of hospitalist-primary care physician (PCP) miscommunications that can arise during patient discharges. Far too often, patients leave the hospital confused about their diagnosis, medication, or the next step in their care, according to a recent study, Redefining and Redesigning Hospital Discharge to Enhance Patient Care: A Randomized Controlled Study, coauthored by Balaban.

Streamline the welcome orientation process
Within the competitive college ranks, National Collegiate Athletic Association coaches, regarded as cutthroat recruiters, pursue candidates. Recruits will ultimately decide on one destination, and the smallest detail can influence their decision. Similarly, in hospitalist recruitment, what seem like small factors can weigh heavily. The state of your program depends on your ability to recruit top talent and then keep them satisfied and productive. Since you're probably focused on long-term physician satisfaction and program stability, it's easy to forget that first impressions are critically important.

Other recently-published articles from Hospitalist Management Advisor:

Succeed with protected time

Experts say quality surveys flawed

Quality improvement is a team sport

The pros and cons of geographic rounds

Rapid rise of surgical hospitalists

Program value boils down to implementation

ED-to-inpatient transfers are flawed with safety gaps

Develop a smarter training program

Create partnership for successful selection

Diversity of duties and environment satisfies physicians

Technology and hospitalists: A complex relationship

Document growth plans for long-term stability

Preparing for P4P now a primary role for hospitalists

Streamline the welcome orientation process

Improve patient discharge with low-cost strategies for hospitalist-PCP communication

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