Pinnacle Medical Group patients who require admission to the hospital are able to benefit from a new service. The Hospitalist Program is designed to optimize your care when you are in the hospital. It is patterned after similar programs developed by leading major medical groups and hospitals in other parts of the nation.

The Hospitalist Program increases the availability of physicians to Pinnacle patients within the hospital. A Hospitalist will be available to see you as many times a day as your condition requires during your stay at the hospital.

The Hospitalist Program covers those patients in the hospital requiring general medical care for problems such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes. If you require surgery, the surgeon will be your primary hospital doctor. But, if your surgeon requests a medical consultation, the Hospitalist will also see you. The Hospitalist will also facilitate consultations with other specialties, such as cardiology or neurology if medically necessary.

Enhanced Communication
The Hospitalist and your Pinnacle physician will be in contact at the time of admission to the hospital, throughout your hospital stay, and at the time of your discharge. Detailed summaries of your hospitalization, changes and updates, will be prepared and added to your permanent clinic record within 24 hours.

The increased availability of physicians in the hospital means increased communication with nurses, therapists, radiology staff, discharge planners, emergency room physicians, and other consulting physicians. The hospital and our physicians are confident this increased communication will enhance your care.

The availability of a Hospitalist also means more communication opportunities for you and your family to discuss any concerns you may have about your progress. This communication does not replace the communication between you and your Pinnacle physician. Your primary care physician is responsible for your care over the long term, and it is important to maintain ongoing and regular communication about your health care. Be assured your Pinnacle physician will be kept in the communications loop with the Hospitalist.

Benefits
The Hospitalist is there to concentrate on and follow your care in the hospital, monitor your progress, and facilitate discharge planning. Another important benefit of the Hospitalist Program is improved access to your Pinnacle physician during normal office hours. Pinnacle physicians will have additional appointment times because they will spend less time doing routine visits at the hospital. If you have any questions about this new service, please call the Quality Management Department at
(909) 881-5825 x232 or x233.

Quality Management
Our Quality & Utilization Management team work with the Hospitalist and your primary care physician, making sure you receive the best care possible during your stay at the hospital.

We are required to notify physicians, staff and patients of the following:
Utilization decision making is based only on appropriateness of care and service.
Pinnacle Medical Group does not specifically reward physicians or other individuals conducting utilization review for issuing denials of coverage or service. Pinnacle Medical Group does not offer financial incentives to encourage decisions that result in under utilization.