Care Team
At Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital, there are numerous people who work as a team to help you get better. Each of these individuals has taken a personal pledge to provide you with the best care possible and to exceed your expectations.
Your physician is ultimately responsible for your care; however, many different types of healthcare team members will assist in providing you with top quality care.
All IU Health Arnett Hospital associates, physicians and volunteers are required to wear identification badges. Each badge should have a photo ID, name and department printed on it. Please ask to see proper identification if you do not see a badge on someone involved in your care.
IU Health Arnett Hospitalist
One person you may see on a day-to-day basis is an IU Health Arnett Hospitalist. Hospitalists are Internal Medicine physicians or Family Medicine physicians who specialize in caring exclusively for hospitalized patients.
There are multiple benefits to having a hospitalist program, both to the patient and to primary care and other physicians who refer patients to hospitalists. For example, by being on-site at the hospital, a hospitalist is able to quickly implement a treatment plan following initial emergency department evaluation. Following admission, the patient can be seen again the same day as indicated for reassessment, or to update family members on the patient's progress.
On average, a patient's length of stay in the hospital is shortened when he or she is seen by a hospitalist. Patients whose physicians utilize the hospitalist system also benefit by the partnership between their physician and the hospitalist. By relying on the hospitalist to provide care for their inpatients, doctors have more availability for their outpatients, opening more appointment slots and minimizing office wait times.
Case Manager
Case managers work with you, your physician, your care team and insurance company to help ensure that all of your needs are met. Case managers will assist your family with discharge planning and obtaining post-hospital services when you are ready to go home.
Chaplains
Our certified Chaplains work with your care team to minimize stress and provide for the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families. Our Chaplains are ordained and endorsed by their religious bodies and are available upon request to listen, care or provide age-appropriate spiritual services that are meaningful to you and your family.
If you would like to be visited by a Chaplain, please ask your nurse. The Chapel, open 24 hours a day, is located near the Main Welcome Desk across from the pubic elevators. We also encourage and welcome your own religious leaders visit as an important part of your care team.
Dietitians
Registered dietitians work with your physician and nurses to provide nutritional care and education.
Nurses
You will receive 24-hour nursing care from a team of registered nurses. A nurse manager is responsible for directing and coordinating the daily care provided by nurses.
Nurses serve as a liaison between you, your family and your physician. They administer medications and IV fluids, perform treatments, plan your daily care and provide education for you and your family about a variety of things important to your recovery.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists may work with you to perform activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, grooming and general home management tasks. Types of activities, adaptive equipment and interventions will vary depending on patient needs. Occupational therapists will fabricate splints for you if it is required for positioning needs.
Your physician may also request that occupational therapy services be continued on an outpatient basis upon discharge.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists are experts in preparing medications and monitoring you for adverse affects, allergies and possible interactions with drugs and food. Although you may not meet the pharmacists, they are important to have on your care team.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists may work with you to improve your physical strength and mobility to help you return to your best level of activity.
They will facilitate the provision of activity and use of walking devices, splints or other necessary equipment. They will also coordinate with your physician to evaluate for further physical therapy services upon discharge.
Respiratory Therapists
Registered respiratory therapists work together with a multi-disciplinary team to help evaluate, treat and care for patients with many types of medical disorders and diseases.
Social Workers
A social worker's job is to offer counseling, emotional support and instruction to meet your family's psychological and practical needs. Social workers may also assist your family with discharge planning or obtaining post-hospital services, when you are ready to go home.
Speech Therapists
Speech therapists may work with you to improve your communication, feeding and swallowing skills, as well as help with any difficulties with thinking and memory skills. Your physician may also request that speech therapy be continued on an outpatient basis upon discharge.