Policy:       

Preferences for Calls for Admissions from Emergency Department

Procedures:

1.      General Internal Medicine

If the patient, or the hospital record, clearly identifies a specific GIM faculty member to be the primary care physician for the patient, then the ER should call the colleague on call for that physician when deciding to admit the patient. After the attending (GIM faculty member) has been determined with the ED physician the patient's need for admission, ED staff (secretary or nurse) will notify the resident that the patient is being admitted to their service at the request of the attending physician. Upon evaluating the patient, the resident will call the attending physician.

If the patient does not have a GIM faculty member as a clearly identified primary care physician, then the ER should call the resident, who upon evaluating the patient, will call the attending physician.

2.      Cardiology, Nephrology, Rheumatology

The attending physician on call should be called first. After the attending has determined with the ED physician the patient's need for admission, ED staff (secretary or nurse) will notify the resident or fellow that the patient is being admitted to their service at the request of the attending physician.

Later, the resident or fellow should contact the attending physician on call to staff the patient following initial workup.

3.      Pulmonary/Critical Care, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Dermatology, Allergy/Immunology

The resident or fellow on call should be called first. The resident or fellow should contact the attending physician on call to staff the patient following initial workup.