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care while coordinating communication with the PCP and the other members of the patient's care team." The Evolution of Hospitalist Medicine As the needs and demands of hospi- tals and clinicians have grown, so, too, has the hospitalist's role. While once considered to be a solution to patient coverage problems, hospitalists are now valued as members of the clinician team and often are the point persons in transitioning patients efficiently and effectively across all levels of care. They routinely participate in multi- disciplinary hospital rounds and relay information and status updates in real time to the primary care provider. This results in better continuation and coor- dination of care among all providers involved in the patient's management. H o s p i t a l i s t s a l s o o f t e n w o r k closely with hospital administrators, for ex a mple, on st a f f i ng mo dels, quality improvement programs and safety initiatives. "Hospitalist medicine, and IMS in particular, has really evolved to become a key piece of the puzzle within the hospital structure," says Murray. "We are more cli- ent centric as a company working closely with hospital administrators, consulting physicians and primary care physicians to provide patient centered and collaborative transitional care. Such collaborative efforts facilitate rapid recovery, decrease length of stay, decrease cost per case and readmission rates, and improve patient satisfaction." Treating patients at the right time in the right facility can return them to home faster, which is IMS' goal — and the goal of the hospital, primary care physicians and patients, as well. As an example, Murray cites IMS' collaboration with orthopedic surgeons. " Toget her, t he IMS hospit a list s and surgeons established protocols JOE SMITHBERGER, SMITHBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY, NORTH CANTON, OH While once considered to be a solution to patient coverage problems, hospitalists like Rashmi Srivastava, MD, (shown here) are now valued as members of the clinician team and often are the point persons in transitioning patients efficiently and effectively across all levels of care. acute and post-acute hospital settings," says Foster. "This is all part of the new face, the new culture, of hospitalist medicine. And it ensures optimal care." The New Role for Hospitalists Clea rly, t he hospit a list's role in today's healthcare environment goes above and beyond disease management of inpatients. It requires attention to efficient, as well as quality, care. That's and best practices for the medical co- management of their patients," she says. "Our hospitalists also work with the surgeons to clear patients for surgery and to develop postoperative treatment and rehab plans to optimize outcomes." "Hospit a lists help pr ima r y ca re physicians and specialists fully real- ize the big picture of patient care and coordinate all points of the continuum of population health management in 2 0 1 5 JA N UA RY/ F E B R UA RY ■ M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Cleveland/Akron/Canton | 7