Inpatient Care Specialists
If you are admitted to the hospital for medical treatment, you will be supported by a variety of health care professionals who work together as a team to ensure you have a healthy, safe and efficient recovery. These team members include:
Nurses
You will spend more time with your nurses than with any other member of your care team. They provide physical care, health education and emotional support. A registered nurse (RN) will plan your nursing care and on each shift, a specific registered nurse will supervise your care. Your nursing team may also include nurse practitioners, nursing assistants and other support staff dedicated to helping you get well.
Patient Care Technicians
A patient care technician (PCT) is an important member of your care team, as they assist the RN with procedures such as taking your vital signs, drawing blood samples, and caring for wounds. They have ongoing communication with the RN and the patient and help to fulfill your care plan.
Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners
Physician assistants (PA) and nurse practitioners (NP) are trained, certified and licensed to take medical histories, conduct physical examinations and diagnose and treat medical problems under the supervision of physicians.
Pharmacists
The pharmacy team works closely with your doctor to make sure you get the most effective medications. Upon request, pharmacists are available to discuss your medicines and answer questions.
Therapists
Physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and respiratory therapists help you return to normal activity as soon as possible.
Hospitalists
Most patients are seen by a member of our inpatient team also known as a "hospitalist." A hospitalist is a physician (or a nurse practitioner) who specializes in the care of hospitalized patients whose primary care physicians do not see patients at the hospital. Our inpatient team works together to ensure that patients receive the best care possible. Please note hospitalists do not have outside offices and cannot refill medications or authorize referrals.
Intensivists
If you are a patient in the critical care unit, your doctor is an "intensivist," which is a hospital-based critical care physician who specializes in the care and treatment of patients needing critical care.
Laborists
If you are a patient in the Family Birthing Center, you will be assisted by a "laborist," who is a hospital-based physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology.
Care Manager
A care manager may work with your team to plan your discharge and care after you leave the Medical Center. The care manager is the key contact with your insurance company while you are a patient. They help you and your loved ones understand and cope with disease and disability. They also find services in the community to assist in your recovery. If you have a question or problem about your discharge, ask to speak to your nurse, the charge nurse or the care manager in your area.
Chaplain
A chaplain is a designated minister at our medical center. He performs spiritual assessments and delivers pastoral care to patients, families and staff in recovery, crisis, grief, end of life and at death.
Dietitians
Our registered, licensed dietitians will monitor your nutritional status and treatment to ensure that you are making progress. They also provide nutrition education when needed.
Other Health Care Professionals and Support Services
Lab technicians, radiographers, housekeepers, security officers, facility engineers and nutritional hosts and hostesses are among the many people who make your hospital stay as beneficial and comfortable as possible.
Volunteers
UM BWMC volunteers give thousands of hours each year to our medical center to enhance the care of our patients and their families. They provide support throughout the hospital, including staffing the information desk, delivering mail and flowers, operating the gift shop, escorting patients and more.
With your help, your care team members will collaborate to create a plan for your care. Early on, it will help us figure out what your medical problems are, and how we will treat them. At first, it might include tests to diagnose the condition. Later, it can include procedures, medications, therapy and diet. It's important that you understand the plan. Please feel free to ask about it as many times as you need to.
Our team members wear certain colors depending on their role at the hospital. We call these our Colors of Care, so our patients know who is taking care of them at each and every moment.