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Important Notice Regarding Medication Prescriptions for AHN Patients

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Our Hospitalists

When you stay at an Allegheny Health Network (AHN) hospital, our hospitalists are with you throughout your care journey. Hospitalists are health care providers who specialize in coordinating care for patients in hospital settings. We also communicate with your primary care physician whenever necessary, so your recovery stays on track.

What is a hospitalist?

A hospitalist’s role is an extension of your primary care physician (PCP):

  • PCPs coordinate tests, treatments, and care from specialists outside the hospital. PCPs also deliver follow-up care to support your recovery after a recent hospital stay.
  • Hospitalists focus on delivering similar types of services in the hospital (inpatient care) only. They are not able to provide care outside of the hospital.

Our hospitalists are physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. We communicate and work with your PCP whenever necessary:

  • During your stay: Your hospitalist may speak to your PCP about medications you are taking for other conditions, such as heart problems. Hospitalists may also discuss other ongoing medical conditions you may have, such as diabetes. This information helps you receive effective inpatient services while avoiding complications.
  • After you leave the hospital: Your hospitalist also communicates with your PCP to support your recovery. For example, your hospitalist lets your PCP know if you may need additional testing after leaving the hospital.

How hospitalists help you get home sooner

Our hospitalists help many people get the inpatient care they need in less time. As a result, you may be able to come home sooner. Hospitalist care may also help you avoid going back to the hospital for the same problem during your recovery. Hospitalists reduce the amount of time you spend in the hospital by:

  • Answering nurses’ questions as quickly as possible
  • Reviewing test results shortly after they become available
  • Ordering additional treatments to prevent complications

Hospitalist care at AHN: How we stand apart

It’s natural to feel nervous about getting care from someone other than your PCP. It’s also common to feel anxious when meeting a provider for the first time during a hospital stay. Our hospitalists provide the peace of mind that comes from knowing someone is looking out for you. They guide every step of your inpatient care, including tests and evaluations from specialists. Your hospitalist starts seeing you shortly after you arrive and stays with you until you go home.

Highlights of our program include:

  • Experienced hospitalists: Our hospitalist team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Many of our specialists have years of experience caring for hospital patients. All of our hospitalists maintain high care standards allowing you to receive safe, effective care.
  • Personalized care: Our hospitalists get to know you as a person, which helps us coordinate the services you need. They often visit you more than once a day to keep your recovery moving forward. They also make sure you receive tests and evaluations from other specialists, when necessary.
  • Easy access: Our hospitalists are on site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, giving you timely access to care. If you need tests, they are there to order them right away. If you experience a complication, they can be by your bedside in minutes. If there are questions, they speak with you or your loved ones any time you need them.

Questions about follow-up care?

If you have questions after you leave the hospital, please contact your PCP. If it’s been 24 hours or less since you left the hospital, you can also speak with a hospitalist. You may reach the hospitalist by contacting the hospital where you were treated. See our locations for more information.