Hospitalist Services at St. Mary's

What is a Hospitalist?

A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for patients in the hospital. Most hospitalists are general internal medicine physicians, family practice physicians, or pediatricians.

What is Athens Hospitalist Services (AHS)?

Located in St. Mary’s Hospital, Athens Hospitalists Services is an independent group of board-certified internal medicine physicians dedicated to patient satisfaction. AHS hospitalists serve as a liaison between St. Mary’s medical staff and primary care physicians when patients can no longer be cared for in an office setting.

How is my Primary Care Physician Included?

To ensure seamless patient care, St. Mary’s hospitalists keep your primary care physician informed of your status during your time in the hospital and are on call 24 hours a day for any questions or emergencies. Upon your discharge from the hospital, St. Mary’s Hospitalists also work with your primary care physician to arrange further treatment, follow-ups, prescribe necessary medications, and send medical records to your physician. St. Mary’s hospitalists see private patients of community physicians. These physicians have a written agreement for their patients to come to St. Mary’s.

What if I do not have a primary care physician?

Some patients may not have a primary care physician. If this is the case, St. Mary’s Hospitalists will help these patients find a primary care doctor before they leave the hospital. This allows patients to receive seamless, quality care.

How does the St. Mary’s hospitalist learn about me and my condition?

Our hospitalists talk to your primary care physician frequently. At the time of your admission to the hospital, your primary care physician calls and informs us of your condition and sends over records to provide as much information as possible about your illness. The process is similar to what your physician does when he/she refers you to a specialist for another opinion or additional tests, or treatments. During the course of your hospitalization, a St. Mary’s hospitalist and your primary care physician may talk further regarding your treatment. At discharge,e we will communicate with your primary care physician to discuss any further treatment needs, help arrange follow-up, prescribe necessary medications, and send hospital records to your primary care physician’s office.