The Hospitalist Program at Catholic Medical Center is a partnership between Catholic Medical Center and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester to provide hospitalized patients with timely access to physician care throughout their stay. Through this growing program, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester hospitalists deliver the latest medical treatments and services to hospitalized patients in collaboration with their primary care provider.

We are pleased to provide this high quality program to all of our patients and the commitment made by Dartmouth-Hitchcock, known nationally for its high standards and academic medicine to offer patients the assurance of round-the-clock hospitalist care. 

What is a hospitalist?
Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients.   They will often manage patients through their entire hospital stay from the time they are admitted to organizing post-discharge instructions with the patient and their primary care provider.  Most hospitalists are board certified in internal medicine, with a strong emphasis and interest in the care of acutely ill patients.

How does a hospitalist care for patients?
A hospitalist sees the patient each day they are in the hospital and directs their treatment and care. If tests, a procedure or consultations with specialists are needed, the hospitalist makes these requests. A patient and their family are encouraged to ask questions and discuss their care with the hospitalist.

When is the hospitalist available to see a patient?
During a hospital stay, hospitalists are available at Catholic Medical Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What are the benefits of having a hospitalist oversee a patient’s care in the hospital?
A hospitalist cares for patients only in the hospital and has no outside medical practice. This allows hospitalists to devote their full attention to care for and treat patients in the hospital. Studies have shown that hospitalized patients feel more satisfied and tend to have better medical outcomes when cared for by a hospitalist.

How does a hospitalist work with the patients’ primary care provider?
After a patient is admitted to the hospital, the hospitalist communicates with their primary care physician about their medical history, medications and plan of care. The hospitalist also contacts a patient’s primary care provider if there are any major changes in their medical status or treatment.

When a patient is discharged, the hospitalist provides them with discharge instructions and arranges for any prescriptions they need. A timely discharge summary of detailed findings and treatment plans is sent to the patient’s primary care provider. For follow-up treatment of their condition, the patient is encouraged to make an appointment with their primary care provider.

How does the Hospitalist Program bill its services?
The Hospitalist Program will bill a patient's insurance for services incurred during their hospitalization.  Services provided by the hospitalist team (physician or health care provider) will be billed separately under the "Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic" name.  An additional hospital bill will be issued by Catholic Medical Center that covers the hospital/facility fee (e.g. room, supplies, etc.)

We want to continue to ensure that during a patient's hospital stay; they receive the best possible care and have full access to the services of Catholic Medical Center.  If medical expenses incurred during a hospital stay are a hardship, please let the staff know.  We will be happy to work with each person who inquires.

What if I don’t have a primary care provider?
If you are looking for or are in need of a primary care provider, Catholic Medical Center can help through our affiliation with The Primary Care Physician Practices of Catholic Medical Center.  Please call ASK-A-NURSE®, a 24-hour physician referral and health care information resource, at 603.626.2626 for help in finding a primary care provider who is accepting new patients and your insurance.

Contact Us
For more information on the Hospitalist Program at Catholic Medical Center, call 663.5310