Hospitalist Service
A new approach to hospital care
In recent years, a new specialty of medicine has emerged called the “Hospitalist.” These are physicians who specialize in caring for patients during their stay in a hospital.
Because these physicians are based in the hospital, they are available throughout the day for admissions and emergencies. They take care of patients in the same manner as your regular physician might, including ordering treatments, tests and consulting with specialty physicians where appropriate. They will also keep your primary care physician abreast of any unexpected changes or developments, and provide a detailed summary of your stay following discharge, when you are placed back in the care of your primary care physician.
At St. Elizabeth’s, some — but not all — primary care physicians assign care of their patients to our staff hospitalist: Dr. Shelly Harkins. Our hospitalist is supported by Jennie Rickert, our hospitalist nurse practitioner.
In collaboration with The SLU Family Medicine Residency Program, our hospitalist also serves patients who are admitted through the emergency room and who do not have a primary care physician.
