Thanks to our strong network of pediatric hospitalists embedded in Atrium Health locations across the region, the same expert care you receive at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital is also available at many Atrium Health hospitals across the region.
Our Levine Children’s pediatric hospitalist team sees more than 11,500 patients annually – with 70 physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) offering nursery and pediatric care at eight hospital locations across the North Carolina region.
But what do these specialists do? And how does that impact the care your child receives? Two Atrium Health Levine Children’s experts explain how pediatric hospitalists help your child and family get the best care close to home.
What is a Pediatric Hospitalist?
Pediatric hospitalists practice solely in hospital environments (rather than in outpatient clinics and practices, such as a pediatrician's office). They partner with primary care pediatricians and specialists to coordinate care while the patient is in the hospital, arrange for transport if necessary, and follow-up when the child heads back home.
Dr. Sara Horstmann, division director at Levine Children's, oversees providers on the pediatric hospitalist team. Before joining Atrium Health, Horstmann started the hospitalist program at the University of Rochester in New York.
“Working with kids brings me such joy and energy,” says Horstmann. “Every day is different but it’s so rewarding – I get to solve problems and help people on a daily basis.”
In addition to clinical care, pediatric hospitalists also have many administrative responsibilities like teaching and training, conducting research, and leading quality and patient safety programs for the system.
Dr. Stefanie Reed is a pediatric hospitalist and serves as the site medical director for Levine Children's Hospital. In addition to helping children and their families, Reed teaches residents, physicians and APPs who are learning pediatrics as a specialty.
Reed says helping children in a hospital setting is something she has always been drawn to, but she is also passionate about preventive medicine.
“Even though my job is a hospitalist, my No. 1 goal is to help kids stay out of the hospital,” says Reed.
Pediatric hospitalists provide comprehensive care for kids of all ages, including those who just made their entrance into the world. Depending on their responsibilities, Levine Children’s pediatric hospitalists may be present for the delivery of a newborn or provide care in the newborn nursery. They can also offer resources and training for new parents.
Healing Near Home
There may be times when you’re unsure what type of care your child requires. You can start by calling your pediatrician to help determine where to go, or head to a nearby urgent care for less severe incidents. If the situation is life-threatening and can’t wait, Horstmann says you should call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department and the team will help you determine the best course of care.
“It can be hard for a family to know where to go. So let us help you make that decision,” says Horstmann. “We can transport children to where they need to go, but we don’t want to risk a child getting worse before they can get the care they need. We are embedded at many Atrium Health locations for this very reason.”
By being part of the Levine Children’s family, our pediatric hospitalist teams are specifically trained to treat children, and all follow the same best practices. So, if you live in towns like Lincolnton, Albemarle, Concord or Monroe, you can still have access to the best pediatric care when you need it most without having to drive to Levine Children’s Hospital in uptown Charlotte.
“Each member of our hospitalist team has spent time at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte and has experience working at different Atrium Health locations,” says Reed. “If your child does need to be transferred to Levine Children’s Hospital, the care teams are pros at the process and will work together to ensure a smooth transition. Otherwise, you can stay close to home – surrounded by your support system.”
You can find Levine Children’s pediatric and nursery care hospitalists embedded at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, as well as Atrium Health facilities across the region:
- Atrium Health Cabarrus
- Atrium Health Union
- Atrium Health Cleveland
- Atrium Health Union West
- Atrium Health University City
- Atrium Health Pineville
- Atrium Health Stanly
Problem Solvers
Pediatric hospitalists understand the unique needs and complexities of caring for hospitalized children, and their diagnostic abilities can set the tone for a patient’s care. Unlike specialists who work solely with one organ system or focus only on treating adults, Levine Children’s pediatric hospitalists are specifically trained to work with kids in a variety of circumstances.
Reed says she enjoys the challenge of navigating acute care illnesses and helping kids with severe illnesses, rare diseases and complex care needs.
“My very favorite thing is figuring out what is wrong and helping kids feel better,” says Reed. “I meet each patient and their families on their worst day. But that also means I have the potential to see them on their best day when they get to go home.”
Care Team Navigators
When a child comes into the hospital with an illness or injury, pediatric hospitalists jump into action, working to help patients get the best course of care.
“Hospitalists are the captain of the ship, so to speak,” says Reed. “We work with the team of APPs and physicians, consult with specialists, communicate with the family and coordinate transition plans if necessary.”
Pediatric hospitalists also need to be knowledgeable in all specialties and know how to navigate each area of the hospital, so kids get the care they need when they need it most.
“Our team of pediatric hospitalists are experts at coordinating care,” says Horstmann. “We work closely with providers and subspecialists, communicate with kids and their caregivers, and advise on treatment plans. The magic of a hospitalist is we get to help patients and families navigate their needs as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
Community Connectors
Community hospital medicine is an important part of what hospitalists do each day. Having pediatric hospitalists stationed at facilities across the region helps make health care more accessible.
Levine Children’s Hospital provides specialized pediatric care including rare diseases, cancer treatment and complex surgeries. But Levine Children’s pediatric hospitalists extend the network of care to communities across the region. So, you can receive care within miles of your home for conditions like asthma, diabetes management, dehydration, concussions, injuries, and infections that require antibiotic treatment.
“The benefit to families of having Levine Children’s pediatric hospitalists embedded in regional hospitals is that they can get the best care close to home,” says Reed.
Learn more about pediatric hospital medicine services at Levine Children’s Hospital here.
