The concern that your personal physician does not have admitting privileges at a local hospital is common, reflecting a significant shift in modern healthcare delivery. This situation does not mean your care will be compromised, but it does change how a hospital stay is managed. Understanding this change and the roles of the doctors involved is important for smooth transitions between outpatient and inpatient care.
What Admitting Privileges Mean
Admitting privileges are the formal rights granted by a hospital to a doctor, allowing them to admit patients and oversee their medical care at that specific facility. These privileges confirm that the physician meets the hospital’s standards for qualifications, training, and performance. A doctor with these rights can directly admit a patient without requiring an initial emergency department visit.
Many doctors, particularly those in primary care, no longer maintain these hospital privileges. This shift is often due to the administrative burden and cost of reapplying every few years, as well as the requirement to be available for hospital duties. Instead, they specialize in the outpatient setting, focusing entirely on clinic and office-based care, which is a common and efficient model of practice today.
The rise of the hospitalist model has also made it unnecessary for many outpatient doctors to keep their hospital credentials. Doctors who specialize in fields like surgery or obstetrics typically still need privileges to perform procedures, but a general practitioner can often rely on hospital-based colleagues. This separation allows your personal physician to focus completely on your long-term health management outside of the hospital setting.
Navigating Planned Hospital Stays
When a planned event like a non-emergency surgical procedure or complex diagnostic testing requires a hospital stay, your doctor’s office coordinates your care with a physician who does have hospital privileges. The first step involves a formal referral to a specialist or surgeon who is on staff at the hospital where your procedure will occur. This practice ensures the attending physician is familiar with the hospital’s specific protocols and resources.
The key to this transition is the seamless transfer of your medical records. Your primary care physician’s office will compile all relevant information, including current medications, recent test results, and your complete medical history, and transmit it to the hospital-based team. This ensures the hospital staff has a full picture of your health before you are admitted.
Before your scheduled admission, your doctor may consult directly with the hospital-based specialist to discuss your case and care plan. This pre-admission consultation helps establish continuity and avoids conflicting medical advice. Your personal doctor will receive a detailed summary upon your discharge, allowing them to resume managing your care with full knowledge of your hospital treatment and any medication changes.
Care During Emergency Situations
In an unexpected emergency that requires hospitalization, your care will be managed by a doctor specializing in inpatient medicine, known as a hospitalist. These physicians work exclusively within the hospital, meaning they are on-site around the clock to manage acute medical issues and coordinate care. This dedicated presence ensures that a medical decision-maker is immediately available, which can reduce delays in treatment and testing.
When you are admitted through the emergency department, the hospitalist takes over your care as the attending physician. They perform a comprehensive review of your condition, order necessary tests, and consult with any specialists required for your specific illness. This model is designed to provide efficient and dedicated attention during your acute phase of illness.
Communication is maintained between the hospitalist and your primary care physician, even though your personal doctor is not physically present. The hospitalist accesses your medical history through shared electronic records systems and often contacts your doctor’s office to discuss your baseline health status. This collaboration allows the hospitalist to tailor their treatment plan to your long-term health needs, ensuring specialized medical care from admission until discharge.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team
To prepare proactively for any potential hospital stay, you should have a direct conversation with your doctor’s office staff. Ask them to confirm which specific hospitals or hospital systems they typically refer their patients to for both planned and emergency admissions. This information is important for understanding your likely path to inpatient care.
You should also ask about the practice’s communication protocol for hospitalized patients. Specifically, confirm how your doctor’s office receives updates from the hospitalist and how soon they expect to receive your discharge summary after you leave the hospital. Knowing the names of the preferred hospitalist group your physician works with can also be helpful for peace of mind.
It is always a good idea to maintain a current, easily accessible list of your medications, allergies, and any significant medical conditions. Having this concise summary ready can help the emergency room staff and the hospitalist access your pertinent information quickly. Understanding these logistical details ahead of time allows you to focus solely on your recovery if you require a hospital admission.