Hospital medicine: Supporting the full patient journey
Patient outcomes are closely tied to the continuity of quality care, requiring inpatient clinicians to take an active role in care from admittance to post-discharge. For comprehensive coverage for the full patient journey, health systems must utilize innovative methods for managing clinical resources and leverage advanced telemedicine technology.
In-person hospitalist
Telemedicine Clinicians
Admissions
- See patients in ED
- Consult with emergency clinical care team
- Determine admissions
- Create initial treatment plan
Teleadmissionists
- Provide supplemental coverage at peak volume times
- Responsible for admission & any follow-ups for those admitted patients
- Augments onsite team by allowing clinicians to prioritize discharges and daily rounds
Inpatient
- Round on patients
- Lead clinical care team
- Facilitate active conversation regarding patient treatment and progress
- Determine patient discharge criteria
- Collaborate with clinical team on post-discharge care plan
- Identify the appropriate next site of care
Telehospitalists & Telenocturnists
- Respond to floor and ED calls, admits, discharges, and rounds on patients
- Communicates with in-person care team, patients & families
- Supports admissions, transfers, and step-down decisions for NP/PA oversight
- Ensure 24/7 coverage for inpatient population
- Participates with rapids, codes, and stroke alerts
- Responsible for cross-cover calls and admissions
Post-acute care
- Lead care coordination
- Proactively collaborate with external resources and next site of care
- Support adherence to the new care plan
- Set a timeline follow-up care delivery as needed
Telespecialists & Teleconsults
- Allow consultation with external resources for comprehensive care
- Improve continuity of care with virtual collaboration of all team members
- Increase coordination of care with post-acute care sites
