Visitor Hours & Policies
Learn about the patient visiting hours and policies at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth.
Expert Hospitalist Care, Close to Home
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth's hospitalists will care for you during your hospital stay. These specialists are board-certified doctors trained in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine. Hospitalists have specialized knowledge in managing a wide range of medical conditions and provide high-quality care in the hospital.
What a Hospitalist Does
A hospitalist is a doctor who cares for you while you are in the hospital. At BID Plymouth, our hospitalists work closely with patients, family members and other physicians. They conduct evaluations, organize family meetings and coordinate with specialists and surgeons when necessary.
Our hospitalists often coordinate with other doctors within BID Plymouth or outside our network. They keep your outpatient providers fully informed, letting them know if there are any changes to your condition. This is especially important during the transition from the hospital to home, which can be a challenging time for some.
Because hospitalists spend their entire working day in the hospital, they can address changes in patient health and review test results, as well as address emergencies and medical concerns around the clock.
Benefits of Hospitalist Care
Some benefits of hospitalist care include:
- Faster diagnosis and treatment while you are in the hospital.
- Improved communication between you, your family and your clinical team.
- Immediate action if test results are abnormal.
- Immediate response if you have an emergency during your hospital stay.
- Timely discharge.
More About Hospitalists
In 1998, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Li, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston established one of the nation's first hospitalist programs. Today, BIDMC is considered one of the top academic hospitalist groups in the country.
As it's grown, the BIDMC Hospitalist Program now includes several community hospitals, including BID Plymouth, BID Milton and BID Needham. Our hospitalist program continues to grow at a remarkable rate. Our group has more than 90 physicians who see nearly 133,000 patients each year.
How will hospitalists work with your primary care doctor?
When you are admitted to the hospital, your hospitalist notifies your primary care doctor. The hospitalist sends them ongoing care information, test results and your discharge information. This communication ensures your doctor stays informed about what occurs while you are in the hospital. Once you return home, your health care transfers back to your primary care doctor.
Why does the hospitalist ask for my current medications?
Having current, correct details about your medications will help your hospitalist order the correct medicines while you’re in the hospital. Be aware that medicine doses are often changed, or you may not take certain medicines while you’re in the hospital. You should:
- Always carry an updated medication list.
- Check and update that list any time a doctor makes changes to a medicine you take.
- Make sure the list includes the dose (how much) and frequency (how often) of your medications.
- Know why you take each medication.
- If you take an unusual/specialized medication, bring that medication with you in the original labeled prescription bottle to show the hospital staff.
- Never take your own medications while you are hospitalized, unless instructed by your hospitalist to do so.
- If you have questions about the medications you receive, feel free to ask.
Will I see several hospitalists during my hospital stay?
Hospitalists work in the hospital 24 hours every day. One hospitalist may be involved in admitting you to the hospital, while another may manage your care for multiple days in the hospital. During most hospitalizations, you will see up to two hospitalists.
During a longer hospital stay, more hospitalists may manage your care. Our doctors communicate with each other when your care transitions from one doctor to another. You can rest assured that each new hospitalist you see has fully reviewed your health history and other important information about your care.
Services & Specialties
While you are in the hospital, you may be seen by several doctors and other clinicians who work together to provide you with the best health care possible. Depending on your situation, one or more of the following specialties may work with a hospitalist to provide your care.
