The gastroenterology hospitalist program was developed and implemented in 1997. The program was developed as a result of a need for greater efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of inpatient and outpatient care.

Our evolving program model is presently comprised of five Gastroenterologists, ten Physicians' Assistants and designated nurse schedulers providing inpatient and emergency care coverage for six hospitals in Pierce and South King Counties in Washington. These hospital facilities include Tacoma General Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Allenmore Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and Auburn Regional Medical Center.

Coverage of these facilities by the hospitalist is conducted from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding recognized holidays. In addition, one of the Physicians' Assistants provides coverage with an on-call physician during weekend periods from Friday through Monday.

In terms of general operational duties, the hospitalists perform gastroenterology consults and necessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for emergency and inpatient care presented at the six hospitals during periods of weekday coverage. They are assisted in these duties through the use of Physicians' Assistants who perform initial intake consultations and evaluate inpatients during daily rounding. The performance of endoscopic procedures is conducted in a timely manner by the gastroenterology hospitalists in all six facilities.