RIPLEY - Tippah County Health Services has experienced some very positive changes during the year.

This week Chief Executive Officer Tom Hood announced the implementation of its new Advanced Hospital Program and introduced Hospitalist Dr. F. Dalati to the Tippah County Hospital staff.

Said Hood, "I am ecstatic to have a Hospitalist at Tippah County Hospital. Hospitalist care is one of the new services being offered at Tippah County Hospital that will benefit this community."

A Hospitalist is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Doctor who takes care of a patient during a hospital stay and communicates with the family doctor when the patient is admitted to the hospital and then when discharged.

Dr. Dalati is a physician with a unique skill set. Instead of having a private practice like most doctors, he cares for patients admitted to Tippah County Hospital by providers who have an office-based practice.

Dr. Dalati will be fully dedicated to the patient's care while in the hospital, and can concentrate on unique needs, Hood said.

Dr. Dalati commented, "A Hospitalist does not replace a private doctor, but rather works closely with him/her. Throughout the stay, a Hospitalist and Primary Care Doctor will communicate in regard to the treatment."

If a patient requires admission to the hospital, a Hospitalist can provide excellent care by spending quality time with the patient and being available 24 hours a day. By focusing only on hospitalized patients, Dr. Dali can concentrate on each patient's unique needs.

At discharge, Dr. Dalati will discuss further treatment needs with the patient's provider, help arrange follow-up visits, prescribe necessary medications and send hospital records to the doctor's office.

Dr. Dalati is a board certified internal medicine doctor. He completed his residency at Wayne State in Detroit, Mich., and has been working as a Hospitalist for over eight years. He will be fully dedicated to patients' care while at the hospital. Dr. Dalati will be available 24 hours a day.

Hood commented, "Because of his dedication, availability, and experience, he will work hard to get a patient better and healthier within a short period of time by following up on tests and adjusting treatment as needed. "

Hospitalist-based medicine is an efficient way to provide quality care because it can reduce length of hospitalization and therefore reduce costs. Primary Care Providers can also benefit by not having to make rounds at the hospital. Therefore the extra time provided can translate into more availability for office visits.

Chief Financial Officer Tristan Glanville said, "The Hospitalist is one of a number of positive changes taking place at Tippah County Hospital.

“The addition of the Hospitalist has contributed significantly to the quality of care and availability of services at Tippah County Hospital."