Inpatient Care

You will receive expert, you-centered inpatient hospital care at OSF HealthCare. The Sisters, administration and staff are dedicated to practices that improve your safety and ensure that you have the best opportunity for a positive outcome.

What is inpatient care?

Inpatient care is when you stay in the hospital overnight or several days for close monitoring, ongoing care, specialized procedures or rehabilitation that cannot be done when you have a procedure or treatment at the hospital and then return home the same day. During your stay, a physician called a hospitalist will manage your care. 
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Role of Hospitalists in Inpatient Care

A hospitalist is a doctor who specializes in caring for patients while they are in the hospital. Our hospitalists have completed specialized training in:

  • Internal medicine
  • Combined internal medicine and pediatrics 
  • Family practice

Hospitalist care helps you improve by providing continuous care and attention while in the hospital from a specially trained doctor. They manage complicated medical needs and make sure treatments happen on time. Hospitalist care is personalized to ensure you get the right treatments and your needs are met while receiving inpatient hospital care.

After you check out of the hospital, the hospitalist will provide detailed notes about your stay, including test results, treatments and medications, to your primary care provider (PCP) to help in your follow-up care and recovery.

Meet Our Team
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Admission and Discharge with a Virtual Nurse

Virtual nurse services play an essential role in your recovery by ensuring you have quality time to ask questions about your upcoming treatments and the instructions you will need to follow after your discharge from the hospital.

When you are admitted to the hospital, an admissions nurse will connect with you virtually through technology in your room or visit your room to walk you through the admission process and answer any questions.

When it’s time for you to go home, a discharge nurse will connect with you virtually through technology in your room or visit your room to go over your discharge instructions. They will explain your after-visit summary and medication instructions, help set up follow-up appointments and arrange transportation if needed.

At discharge, you and your family will have plenty of time to talk to the nurse and ensure you understand the instructions and follow-up care you need after leaving the hospital.

What to Expect During Your Hospital Stay

After you are assigned to a room, you will meet your care team. Depending on your situation, your care team will include nurses and a hospitalist; however, it may include other providers like dietitians, physical therapists and specialists. They will explain your treatment plan and may order additional diagnostic testing. Some diagnostic testing may be performed in your room, while others may require your care team to transport you to the specialized equipment.  

Your care team works together to monitor your condition and adjust your treatment plan. You are encouraged to actively participate in your recovery by asking questions and participating in your treatment plan. If you have questions or concerns, please ask a member of your care team.

FAQs

How does the hospitalist know my situation?

Shortly after being admitted to the hospital, your hospitalist will stop by your room and talk to you and your family. They will review your medical records and check with any preceding care teams or specialists who have knowledge of your condition to ensure you get the best care possible.

What can I expect from my experience of being cared for by a hospitalist?

You can expect your hospitalist to treat you with kindness and respect, listen carefully to your concerns and explain things in a way you understand.

What are the advantages of hospitalist care?

Hospitalists specialize in caring for patients in the hospital. Because they focus only on patients in the hospital, they don’t have to go back and forth to offices for appointments. This means they are available to answer your questions, share test results and talk to other specialists when needed.

When will I see my primary care provider (PCP)?

After you are discharged from the hospital, you should schedule a follow-up appointment with your PCP. Your test results, medications and treatments you received while in the hospital will be available to your regular PCP for follow-up care.

What if I do not have a PCP?

It's important to have a relationship with a PCP to stay healthy. A PCP performs all general services and knows your health history better than any other doctor. To find a PCP near you, click here.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

5666 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61108

(815) 226-2000