Care Team

At Indiana University Health North 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.

If you have a primary care physician, we will let your doctor know of your admission, the plan for your care and any follow-up required after discharge. When you leave the hospital, your primary care physician will resume responsibility for your care. If you do not have a primary care doctor, we would be pleased to refer you to one.

Your physician is ultimately responsible for your care; however, many different types of health care team members will assist in providing you with top-quality care.

Hospitalist

During your hospital stay, one of your main physicians will be a hospitalist. Part of the IU Health North Hospital inpatient medicine department, your hospitalist will coordinate your care, order any necessary tests, visit with you regularly, discuss your care plan with you and your family members and make arrangements for your discharge.

"Hospitalists" are physicians who care for patients who are in the hospital. They work closely with your health care team to ensure you receive the best possible care. It is likely that you will have more than one physician working with you.

Case Managers

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 or 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 or use the speed dial button on your phone labeled "Chaplain." The chapel, open 24 hours a day, is located in the grand atrium near the blue tile elevators. We also encourage and welcome your own religious leaders visit as an important part of your care team.

Child Life Specialists

The child life department at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health North Hospital is a vital part of your child's care team. Staffed by professionally trained individuals, our child life team helps children and their families cope with the emotional and psychological stress of hospitalization, illness, surgery and medical treatment.

Trained to work with children in the hospital setting, our specialists provide education and coaching and serve as advocates for patients and their families. To contact one of the child life specialists, please call 317.688.2419.

If you are a student interested in an internship with IU Health North Hospital's child life department, please download the application here, and mail to the address on the application. Thank you for your interest.

Dieticians

Registered dieticians 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 out-patient basis upon discharge.

Identification Badge Policy

All IU Health North 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.