Hospitalist

Cook Children's Hospitalist Group is a team of board eligible and certified pediatricians who specialize in caring for patients while they are admitted to Cook Children's Medical Center. One of the hospitalists will see your child daily and is available 24 hours a day to manage any urgent medical needs of hospitalized children.

Patients may be referred to the Hospitalist Group through admission from the Emergency Department, by transferring out of the intensive care unit or by their private physician. Once the patient is admitted, hospitalists remain in close contact with everyone involved in the child's medical care. Because they are available 24 hours a day, your child might see more than one hospitalist during his or her stay. Occasionally, medical students or residents may accompany the hospitalists as they see patients.

Hospitalists help patients and families move toward discharge by following up on tests, adjusting treatments and monitoring progress. They offer families the necessary time to ask questions and discuss options. Because our hospitalists remain on site, they can respond quickly to any emergency, help patients transfer out of intensive care settings and shorten the overall time spent in the medical center.

Common questions about hospitalists

• What is the difference between my child's pediatric hospitalist and other physicians we might see during the admission? Your child's hospitalist is usually the attending physician. If other physicians are involved, they are typically acting as consultants. Final decisions on choices of care, discharge, etc., rest with the hospitalist.
• While my child is admitted in Cook Children's, to whom should I direct my questions regarding his/her care? Your child's attending or consulting physician, nursing staff, therapists or any other health care provider may answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate person.
• Should I update my child's primary care physician during our stay at Cook Children's? You may call your child's doctor anytime, but it is preferable for the hospitalist and primary care physician to talk directly. Your physician will receive a summary upon discharge.
• After my child is discharged, who should I contact regarding his/her ongoing medical care and needs? If you have questions after your child goes home, you should talk to your child's primary care physician's office unless the hospitalist has arranged to contact you with follow-up information.