Physician
You were admitted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital by your attending doctor, a member of the hospital staff and the faculty of Washington University School of Medicine. Your doctor is in charge of your care and treatment. He or she works with nurses and other health care team members to coordinate your care up to the time of your discharge. Your doctor also may order tests to diagnose your condition.
House Staff
Because Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a teaching hospital, your doctor may instruct interns, residents, fellows and medical students –– licensed doctors who are completing the final years of their postgraduate work in various specialties — to provide some portion of your care. Barnes-Jewish is committed to educating and training future health care professionals.
Nursing Staff
An experienced nursing staff — comprised of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, patient care technicians and student nurses — provides your nursing care. Our nurses are the first in St. Louis to receive the Magnet Award – the highest level of recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The nurse manager is responsible for managing your care on a 24-hour basis. If you have any comments or concerns about your care, talk to the nurse manager or the nurse in charge of the shift.
Case Coordinators
Case coordinators are registered nurses who are assigned to all inpatient nursing divisions. Case coordinators will collaborate with the health- care team to assess your psychosocial needs, and coordinate clinical needs and discharge planning.
Social Workers
Social workers have a master’s degree in social work and are assigned to all inpatient nursing divisions. They are responsible for collaborating with the health care team to manage you and your family's psychosocial needs and discharge planning to rehabilitation and extended-care facilities. Please discuss with our social workers early in your stay any special needs you may have once you go home.
Therapists
Physical, occupational, recreational, respiratory and speech therapists work under the direction of your physician to help you resume the most independent lifestyle possible. If therapy is prescribed, your therapist will explain your program in detail.
Medical Technologists/Technicians
Technicians usually draw blood samples before you eat breakfast. The timing ensures that your physician will get your test results that same day. Technicians perform tests using the newest methods and techniques that will provide rapid, accurate and precise results.
Spiritual Caregivers
Hospital chaplains are available around the clock to provide a wide range of spiritual care and counseling for you, your family and the hospital staff. The chaplain assigned to care for the people on your floor is specially trained for ministry in health care and is an integral part of your clinical care team. The aim of
spiritual care services is to help you make use of your faith, beliefs, values, religious practices and ways of spiritually coping for your healing and well-being. Chaplains are available to help patients and families with facing life changes, religious concerns, dealing with hospitalization, prayer and devotional needs, making difficult decisions and other issues. Bikur Cholim visitors, Catholic deacons, Eucharistic ministers, lay speakers and Stephen ministers also visit patients of their same faith tradition. To request a visit from your chaplain or a spiritual care volunteer, call (314) 362-5200.
Dietitians
Registered dietitians assist your doctor in caring for your nutritional needs. A dietitian will visit you if your doctor feels it is necessary.
Transporters
Transporters from the dispatch department will escort and assist you when you leave the floor for tests. They are dressed in navy pants and blue button-down shirts.
Housekeeping
The housekeeping department maintains your room. If something is not cleaned to your satisfaction, call (314) 747-7000. Your housekeeper is dressed in gray.
Patient Liaisons
Patient liaisons serve as a liaison between you and the hospital. Contact a patient liaison for concerns about your hospitalization, to discuss a special need, or to give a compliment about a hospital employee. You can reach a liaison at the
Office of Patient & Family Affairs at (314) 362-5196.