22 Jul 2013 St. Vincent Morrilton adds hospitalists
St. Vincent Morrilton now has hospitalists to care for patients who are admitted to the hospital. The hospitalist service was initiated at the request of the medical staff and fully endorsed by local family physicians because it allows them to see more patients in their office each day, which should reduce patient wait times when making a clinic appointment.
Currently the hospitalist service consists of three Advance Practice Nurses (APN) working in collaboration with emergency room physicians and the patient’s primary care physician to provide hospital care 24 hours a day seven days a week. Hospitalists manage patient care through the entire hospital stay. Often the care begins in the emergency department, continuing through the inpatient care unit and finally organizing care patients need after discharge from the hospital.
“We are excited to offer this service and believe it will enhance medical care in the community. Our local physicians work very hard and are truly dedicated to providing excellent care. The hospitalist service allows them to spend less time in the hospital and more time taking care of patients in the clinic,” said Bubba Arnold, chief executive officer at St. Vincent Morrilton.
The St. Vincent Morrilton hospitalists and primary care physicians work together to plan and carry out care in the hospital. Patients under the care of hospitalists at St. Vincent Morrilton could be visited by more than one hospitalist. “We have a team that provides care for patients around the clock,” Arnold said. The team will work together to coordinate care and, as always, keep the patient’s primary care physician informed. Your primary care physician will be notified when you’re admitted and discharged and will receive discharge summaries and other requested records within 72 hours of your discharge from St. Vincent Morrilton. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the case manager at St. Vincent Morrilton can help you find one and assist you in setting your first appointment after you are discharged from the hospital.”
Laura K. Clark-Bean, MSN, FNP- BC, RN, RRT, one of the APNs, is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway with an MSN degree in Advance Practice Family Nursing. She also completed her BSN at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and an associate of science degree in respiratory therapy at UAMS.
Angelia Paylor, MSN, FNP-BC, RN, a board certified APN at St. Vincent Morrilton, earned a master of science degree in nursing and family advance practice at the University of Central Arkansas. Paylor earned a bachelor of science nursing degree at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. She has been an APN at St. Vincent Morrilton since October 2009 where she was also the house supervisor, worked as a nurse in the emergency department, labor and delivery and intensive care. Paylor also cared for patients at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock as charge nurse. Her experiences there include caring for cardiac, medical, surgical and cancer patients. As a nurse practitioner, Paylor treated patients in family practice, cardiology, internal medicine, women’s health and pediatrics. She holds certifications with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Advance Cardiac Life Support, Basic Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and memberships with the Arkansas Nurses’ Association and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
Donna Chastain, APN, is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science. She is a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society and Nursing Honor Society.
