Hospitalist model takes effect at RVH
June 24, 2020
Beginning on July 6, 2020, Renfrew Victoria Hospital will implement a new model of inpatient care provided by rotating Hospitalists.
The Hospitalists will work one-week shifts, providing care, following up on tests, meeting with family members, answering questions, and coordinating overall care for all inpatients. Nurse Practitioners have also been added to RVH’s staffing model to assist the Hospitalists.
Good communication will also ensure that patient information is shared with family physicians for continuity of care, and medical records will be stored in the hospital’s secure electronic health information system for future reference.
“This has truly been a team-based effort at RVH, shaped with ongoing input from our Board, staff, physicians, community and leadership team,” says Boudreau. “This model of care has been shown to benefit patients, physicians and staff and will position RVH to continue to meet the healthcare needs of our community.”
The change is being made to address stress on the current system due to the decreasing number of family physicians that are available to provide inpatient care and an increasing number of orphan patients (those who don’t have a family physician) while in the hospital.
“Inpatient medicine has become more and more complex over the years and our previous system was not sustainable. This new system will allow RVH to focus on meeting the needs of patients in this specialized environment and address challenges related to orphan patients. It will also support our physicians to reduce the pressure and fatigue they are experiencing,” states Dr. Steve Radke, RVH Chief of Staff.
The team of Hospitalists will include some local and visiting physicians and allow the hospital to recruit new physicians who are focused on inpatient care and will provide 24/7 coverage.
“We are fortunate to have received applications from physicians who are eager to join our emerging hospitalist team, and value the rural, welcoming culture, of Renfrew and area. They are also grateful—as we are—for the ongoing support of our local physicians, who have participated in the process since its inception, providing invaluable input and guidance as we move towards this new model of patient care,” says Patti Dillabough, Physician Recruiter.
Family physicians will no longer perform ‘rounds’ to visit their hospitalized patients. However, some will continue to work in the Emergency Department and have offices on the hospital campus, which will ensure linkages with primary care physicians in the community.
The hospitalist model has been adopted by hospitals across the province over a number of years, including Pembroke, Coburg and Lindsay, and more are making the move to this model, notes Julia Boudreau, RVH President & CEO.
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For more information, please contact:
Julia Boudreau, President and CEO,
Renfrew Victoria Hospital
613-432-4851, ext. 260