HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The hospitalist program at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center has caused confusion for some when they see a doctor during their stay in the hospital, as opposed to the primary family doctor. 

Officials with the hospital say it’s designed to provide better access to physicians and more continuity of care for patients during their hospital stay.

This program enables Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, as a community hospital, to make a doctor available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the patient. That supports the hospital’s goal to improve and maintain patient satisfaction.

It also helps cut down on the hours each day for family practice physicians. Dr. Tim Crater, who practices at the Hutchinson Clinic, talked about his day being at the clinic, as opposed to being divided between his office and the hospital:

 

Physicians began providing hospitalist coverage for Hutchinson Clinic Physicians at the hospital back in 2015 under an agreement signed by all three parties.