Welcome to Hospitalist Services

Improving Your Care and Access to a Medical Doctor During Your Hospital Stay

What is a Hospitalist?
In an ongoing effort to provide exceptional in-patient care, Merrimack Valley Hospital is pleased to introduce a new hospitalist service. A hospitalist is a physician who provides medical care to patients during their hospital stay. Hospitalists are on site at the hospital seven days a week to provide you with ongoing and immediate care. They work as partners with your physician to provide you with the highest standard of care during your hospital stay.

What About Your Doctor?
You will retain your primary care physician. Upon referral from your primary care physician, a hospitalist cares for you in the hospital while you are hospitalized. In some cases, if your doctor can not be reached, a hospitalist may also be called upon to evaluate and treat you in order to expedite your care. Communication between the hospitalist and your primary care physician will occur as needed during hospitalization, and complete information about your hospitalization will be submitted to your doctor upon discharge.

Improving Access and In-patient Care

There are many benefits to the hospitalist service, including:

• Around the clock availability during a hospital stay.

• A hospitalist is available to answer any questions that you or your family may have.

• Works closely with your primary care physician, specialists and hospital staff to coordinate medical services specific to your needs.

• Raises the bar on the ability of our hospital to provide the highest standard of care.

What if My Family has Questions?
An important benefit of the hospitalist service is increased availability. Your hospitalist is here to explain and respond in person to you and your family. During critical and stressful moments your hospitalist will be there to provide timely, honest, and considerate answers to all your questions.

Our Hospitalist:

Marcia Chatfield, DO

James Tollman, MD

Yvonne Wilson, MD

Savan Patel, MD