ED Manag. 2004 May;16(5):49-52.
Hospitalists are becoming increasingly common in U.S. hospitals, and EDs are among the biggest beneficiaries of their improved efficiency. Hospitalists reduce the amount of time ED staff spend trying to reach private physicians by phone. They can help improve patient flow through by shortening length of stay and freeing hospital beds. Adopting a hospitalist program is a major endeavor for any hospital, but ED managers can help encourage the change.