McPherson Center for Health announces the placement of two new health providers, Kirsten Garver, APRN, and Kathy Linde, APRN in their hospitalist services department.
Hospitalists are physicians and other providers who work specifically in a hospital setting to provide care at the bedside. They supplement the role of a patient’s primary care physician (PCP) while a patient is hospitalized, maintaining communication with the PCP during the patient’s stay and after discharge.
Hospital officials say they began the hospitalist program in 2013. If you are admitted to the hospital, there are dedicated providers who care for you instead of your primary care physician making rounds in addition to their clinic time. One of the original hospitalist physicians, Dr. Michael Bloustine, still provides care full time in this role alongside Dr. Rachel Nichols who joined Dr. Bloustine in 2020. Up until February 1, 2023 the night time coverage for the hospitalist service was provided by a telehospitalist partner.
Garver completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Wichita State University in 2018. She has been working in urgent care, emergency care, internal and geriatric medicine in Wichita and Newton prior to coming to McPherson. She has been assisting in McPherson as an independent contractor since June of 2022.
Linde brings over 35 years of nursing experience, having completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Kansas School of Nursing in 2008. She has been serving as an APRN in east central Kansas before joining the McPherson hospitalist group.
“Not only do Kirsten and Kathy allow for a better patient experience with more individualized care but it also provides the clinical staff; nursing, radiology, lab, respiratory therapy, etc. with support,” said Dara Reese, RN, Director of Nursing and Acute Care Services. “Having the APRN’s in house leads to quicker response times, better communication among the care team and a stronger collaboration across the continuum of care from admission to discharge.”
The addition of Garver and Linde eliminates the need for the telehospitalists, so the hospital now has coverage in-house around the clock.
“Incorporating APRNs on the hospitalist team enhances the overall patient experience,” said Charity Clark, Chief Operating Officer. “The presence of an APRN overnight offers continuity of care throughout the hospital stay and supports individualized person-centered care for those we serve.”