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Inpatient Care

If you require inpatient care at HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital, there are a variety of services available to you as a patient.

Whether you stay with us for one day or for longer transitional care (Swing Bed), you will find that our inpatient program is 100% focused on personal care and attention to your needs. We have a long-standing tradition of caring and you can be assured that our standards of care are exceptional. We are committed to doing our very best to help you and your family during times of illness and recovery.


Inpatient Care

Inpatient care encompasses everything from emergency admissions and overnight observations to post-surgery care and longer stays when a physician determines it is the best course of treatment. Patient Safety while at our hospital is our number one priority and we aggressively strive to meet and exceed quality care standards.
Eating a balanced and nutritional diet is an important part of everyday life but even more so when recovering from an illness or injury in the hospital. Food and Nutrition Services provides three nutritious meals to patients daily and a variety of snacks and beverages.

The meals we provide not only meet strict dietary standards but also are delicious, making your hospital stay feel more like home. Working with your physician, we will accommodate any dietary restrictions and allergies. Food and nutrition services has dedicated colleagues, and our dietary manager and registered dietitian are focused on ensuring you are satisfied with your meals during your road to recovery.

If you have a need for a guest tray in your room to accommodate a visitor, just let us know and we will be happy to help.

Visitors can also enjoy a warm and satisfying meal in the Wildflower Café which is located on the lower level of the main hospital building.
Swing bed nursing care (also known as transitional care) helps patients make the transition from acute care to other appropriate settings depending on the needs of the patient. As a viable alternative to temporary placement in a nursing home facility, many Swing Bed patients choose the hospital after undergoing a procedure at a larger or tertiary care hospital. Swing Bed patients are in need of continued skilled care to make a successful recovery in order to return home.

Our skilled care services include physical, occupational and speech therapy, all available through Rehabilitative Services. Additionally, we provide continued administration of intravenous (IV) medicines.
Doctor consulting with older man patient

Hospitalist program

HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital is staffed with experienced physicians known as hospitalists.  These highly qualified doctors and specialists are here to coordinate your care with your primary care physician and to ensure you receive the best health care possible. 

Since your primary care doctor spends most of the day in clinic outside the hospital, he or she cannot always be at your bedside when emergencies or concerns arise. Because the hospital is his or her “office," your hospitalist is never far away and can see you more than once a day, if needed. The hospitalist can assist you through a smooth and speedy recovery process by following up on tests and adjusting your treatment regimen throughout the day based on those test results.

More information on hospitalists

There’s no time more important to communicate about your care than during critical and stressful moments. Hospitalists are here to provide the answers—in person—whenever possible. Since hospitalists are in the hospital all day, they are able to spend time talking to you and your family about your care.
For many patients, working with a hospitalist is a win-win proposition. Your doctor can devote time to keeping patients healthy in the office environment—with fewer delays and interruptions. The hospitalist can be more available to care for you when you are at your sickest. With a physician in the hospital at all hours of the day and night, it’s easier for you and your family to communicate about your illness.
Your hospitalist and primary care provider, will consult with each other about your progress as needed, and your primary care provider may also visit you while you are in the hospital. You will go back to your regular doctor for continuing treatment after your discharge from the hospital. If you do not have a primary care physician, your hospitalist will help refer you to one when you leave the hospital.