Skilled Doctors Playing an Important Role

At Saint Vincent Hospital, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate care to those in our community. As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, our Hospitalist Program plays a critical part in providing you with support in getting the care you need. Hospitalists are doctors whose primary focus is providing general medical care for anyone admitted to our hospital.

What Do Saint Vincent Hospitalists Do?

Hospitalists are responsible for many important tasks, including:

Working in partnership with your primary care doctor to coordinate inpatient care
Working closely with nurses, ancillary staff and other specialists involved in your care
Being familiar with the hospital’s systems for ordering tests, analyzing results and arranging for treatment
Being trained to quickly recognize and respond to changes in the patient’s condition
Being available at the hospital 24 hours a day, so they can see patients as frequently as their medical conditions require
Promptly providing your doctor with a written report of your hospital visit to facilitate any follow-up care you may need

If you do not have a primary care doctor, the Hospitalist team will provide you with a list and arrange your follow-up care.

How Hospitalists Help Primary Care Doctors

Hospitalists practice full-time in the hospital, so they are readily available to help your doctor. When you enter the hospital, a Saint Vincent Hospitalist will immediately begin acting as attending doctor for the length of the hospital stay.

Hospitalists will:

Provide prompt admission and treatment
Oversee your entire hospital stay to provide quality care
Communicate ongoing patient status to your primary care doctor on a timely basis

Daily activities include:

Coordinating hospital admissions
Arranging diagnostic testing and specialty consultations
Explaining findings and discussing recommendations with patients
Orchestrating all patient care
Providing medical care for patients who need surgical treatment
Managing urgent situations that may arise during the hospitalization
Reviewing hospital treatment with insurance companies and payers

Career Opportunities

If you’re interested in a career as a Hospitalist at Saint Vincent Hospital, call (508) 363-6849 to learn more.

Joint Pain or Arthritis? Signs to Watch For and What To Do Next

Approximately 53.2 million adults received an arthritis diagnosis from 2019 to 2021, making arthritis the leading cause of limited mobility, disability and chronic pain in the United States. Arthritis is a common condition that causes joint inflammation and debilitating joint pain. Although there is no cure for arthritis, early detection and treatment can help improve and reduce the risk of irreversible joint damage.

Recognizing Arthritis Symptoms

Symptoms vary from mild to severe and may come and go. It can also cause visible and permanent joint changes, such as knobby finger joints. Severe arthritis can make simple activities like walking and climbing stairs painful and grueling. Some of the most common arthritis symptoms are:

Swelling or Tenderness

Warmth or Redness around the joints

Joint Pain and Stiffness

Decreased range of motion in the joint

Other forms of arthritis can affect other organs, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys or skin.

Types of Arthritis and Their Specific Symptoms

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Some of the most common types include:

Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis damages the whole joint, mainly the cartilage and fluid that protects the joint in the knees, hips, hands, and spine over time.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune condition that attacks the lining of the joints, which can lead to permanent joint damage and worsening pain. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect internal organs, including the liver, heart and eyes.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Similar to rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that attacks the skin and joints, causing skin rashes and pain, typically in people who have psoriasis.

Gout

A form of inflammatory arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the blood, leading to painful crystal deposits in the joints. Gout attacks often occur suddenly, most commonly in the big toe, causing severe pain and swelling.

Lupus

A chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout the body, affecting the joints, skin, kidneys and other organs. Although lupus is not a type of arthritis itself, this condition can lead to joint pain, fatigue, rashes and sensitivity to light, with symptoms varying widely between individuals.

What To Do If You Suspect Arthritis

While there is no cure for arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment can help slow its progression and manage symptoms. The following steps can help preserve joint function and improve quality of life.

Track Symptoms. Keep a record of joint stiffness, swelling, duration of discomfort and what provides relief. Note any additional symptoms such as fatigue, rash or fever. Seek immediate medical care if fever is present.

Consult a Doctor. A primary care physician can evaluate symptoms and refer a specialist, such as a rheumatologist or orthopedist, for further assessment.

Undergo Diagnostic Tests. Doctors may perform physical exams to assess joint movement, review medical history and order lab tests to determine the type and extent of arthritis.

Explore Treatment Options. Osteoarthritis treatment includes lifestyle changes, medications, and, in some cases, surgery. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment focuses on slowing disease progression and reducing inflammation through medication, physical therapy or surgery.

Conclusion

An accurate diagnosis is essential for starting proper treatment and effectively managing the condition. If you have arthritis symptoms, please do not wait too long for medical care. We’re here for you, always.

Hospitalist Program