Hospital Medicine

Expert Care From Our Team of Hospitalists

If you need to be admitted to the hospital, you’ll likely be under the care of our hospital medicine team. Doctors who practice hospital medicine are called hospitalists. Our hospitalists care for patients who are in the hospital with acute (sudden and/or severe) medical conditions but who don’t need intensive care.

You might be under the care of many doctors during your hospital stay, such as your primary care doctor and specialists. However, these doctors might not be available at all hours of the day or night if you need medical care while you’re an inpatient, or they could be busy seeing other patients. Our team of hospitalists will provide expert care throughout your hospital stay.

We care for all kinds of medical problems and conditions for patients at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Academic Medical Center. We also consult on primary care/internal medicine issues for patients at St. Mary Medical Center and Monroe Medical Center.

What to Expect From Your Hospital Medicine Care

We’ll assign you a lead hospitalist when you’re admitted to the hospital. This doctor will be primarily responsible for your care during your hospital stay, but you’ll benefit from our team-based approach to hospital medicine care. Because we are a teaching hospital, we are familiar with the latest diagnostic and treatment options. We share those options with one another in the team setting to make sure you receive the best care possible.

You will meet your hospital medicine team members when you’re admitted to the hospital, and they will visit you each day or more often, depending on your needs. The team will be responsible for your testing and treatment plan. In addition, your hospital medicine team will consult with specialists if you need more advanced care.

Once you are ready to leave the hospital, your hospital medicine team will prescribe any medications you might need and arrange follow-up visits for after you go home. Your team will work with our social services and care management professionals to meet any needs you might have, such as:

• Returning you to the care of your primary care doctor or helping you find a new one
• Arranging medical equipment you can use at home if needed
• Helping you transition to either a rehabilitation hospital or another specialized facility if you need long-term care

Hospital Medicine Safety During the Coronavirus Pandemic

It’s natural to have concerns or fears about a hospital stay during the COVID-19 crisis. However, our hospital medicine team is dedicated to keeping you safe during your stay with us.

All our hospitalists are trained to care for patients with COVID-19 and protect other patients from developing this illness. We practice proper infection-control techniques, and our COVID-19 units include special negative-pressure rooms to minimize the risks to staff members and other patients.