It takes many people to run a hospital smoothly. The following is a list of some of the people who provide care during your hospital stay.
Attending Physician — the doctor who is primarily responsible for your care while you are in the hospital. This may be your primary care physician, a specialist such as a heart or kidney doctor, or a doctor assigned to you when you were admitted. The name of the attending physician should be on your wrist bracelet and the white board on the wall of your hospital room.
Your attending physician will see you regularly to examine you, to discuss your progress, and to notify you of any plans for tests or changes in your treatment. He or she will answer any questions that you may have, and will arrange for follow-up when it is time for discharge from the hospital.
House Staff — the doctors-in-training that work in a team and are supervised by your attending physician. They include the:
- Intern — a doctor in his or her first year of training after medical school.
- Resident — a second- or third-year trainee.
- Fellow — a physician who has completed residency, and is specializing in a particular area of medicine, such as cardiology or gastroenterology.
- Medical Students — from Harvard Medical School.
House staff will see you daily as part of their rounds and are available in the hospital 24 hours-a-day.
Hospitalist — an attending physician who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. Your primary care physician may arrange to have a hospitalist, who is always on-site, to monitor your care while in the hospital. The hospitalist will manage your course of treatment and consult with specialists as needed while staying in close contact with your primary care physician.
Nursing Staff — a registered nurse (RN) will care for you throughout your hospital stay. She or he will make sure that you receive the appropriate medications, any medical treatments you require (such as dressing changes), and the diagnostic tests ordered by your physicians. Your nurse will also provide information and education that you will need to prepare you for discharge and may help arrange home care services if necessary. Your nurse, or one of the assistant nurse managers, is always available to answer any questions or to discuss concerns that you or your family may have. You can contact your nurse by pressing the call button attached to your bed. The name of the nurse caring for you will be listed on the board in your room.
Patient Care Assistant (PCA) — assists your nurse in providing your daily care. He or she may help with bathing, taking vital signs, or transporting you to and from tests.
Unit Associate (UA) — assists in transporting you to and from tests, and will also perform housekeeping in your room and on the medical unit.
Unit Coordinator — assists in transporting you to and from tests, and will also perform housekeeping in your room and on the medical unit.
Care Coordinators/Case Managers — nurses or social workers who may assist in your care while you are in the hospital, in particular when it is time for discharge planning. The care coordinator is familiar with various resources in your community and can help to arrange home care, or, if necessary, help you or your family to select an appropriate rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility. She or he can also help with any questions or problems regarding your medical insurance or financial issues during your hospital stay. Social workers are also part of the care coordination staff. A social worker is always available to discuss any concerns that you or your family may have about coping with your illness.
Dietitians — A dietitian may visit you during your hospital stay to review your diet and make any recommendations about how your diet should be changed to improve your health. He or she may also recommend special types of feeding for patients who are unable to tolerate a
regular diet (for example, intravenous feedings for a patient who cannot eat by mouth). You can contact the Nutrition Consultation Service at (617) 732-6054 if you need help with a diet after you leave the hospital.
Physical and Occupational Therapists — assist patients with physical disabilities such as stroke, orthopedic problems, arthritis or general weakness after medical illnesses or surgery. They may help determine how safe you are to get around at home and can also provide you with devices that will improve your safety and mobility.
Respiratory Therapists — assist patients who need oxygen or special breathing treatments during their hospital stay. They will also help plan for discharge if the patient needs these treatments when they are home.
Other hospital staff — Chaplains and pharmacists may also be involved in your care. You will also meet many people, including housekeepers and dietary workers, who will be in and out of your room on a regular basis.
