Obituaries

DOCTOR

Continued from Page 1

So I spoke with my own doctor.

He told me in 2019, there was a statewide policy implemented that barred physicians from visiting their hospitalized patients. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit a year later, the policy remained in place — no visits. Then in 2021, the decision as to whether a physician may visit a patient in hospital was turned over to local medical ownerships.

Where the authority for any of this comes from, we’re still unsure. But Feorenzo got somewhat of an explanation about it from a patient advocate at Community.

“They told us this was all a result of decisions made by the insurance companies — the insurance industry,” Feorenzo recalls of the conversation.

Still dissatisfied, she picked up the phone and called her own insurer, Horizon Blue Cross-Blue Shield of New Jersey. She explained to someone in a management position what she had been told by the hospital in Toms River — and that the fault was being laid at the hands of the insurance industry.

“The gentleman who I spoke with — who was great, by the way — said he had never heard of such a thing before,” Feorenzo said of her chat with the employee. “He put me on hold a few times, came back to confirm what I was telling him, and he started asking around. No one in his office could confirm what we had been told. So at this point, there is no doubt in my mind we were getting bad information. Or were we? If a major New Jersey medical insurance company had no idea what I was talking about, it stands to reason this is likely not a policy enacted by insurance companies as I had been led to believe by the advocate.”

What’s the deal?

Since there was so much conflicting information floating around — and because this could likely affect any and all people who ever have to go to an ER or hospital for any reason — we reached to a few hospital contacts. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, no one would go on the record. Others completely ignored our request for information about the role of the hospitalist.

Still, here’s what we learned.

“Hospitalist” is a term and practice that is relatively new. The term, itself, was coined circa 1996. Hospitalists are staff members who are employed to work by hospitals or chains of hospitals. They work regular shifts and their role is similar to that of a GP. Where they are used, there is generally a hospitalist — or more than one — on duty 24 hours a day.

They’re supposed to coordinate a patient’s overall care when they’re admitted. And, instead of GPs having to travel to different hospitals to visit their patients, the hospitalist should act as a liaison between the GP, the hospital and specialist doctors who might be involved in a person’s in-patient care.

In theory, the hospitalist should be in regular contact with a patient’s GP, we’re told. And most GPs set aside a certain portion of each working day to conduct business with hospitalists on the telephone. What’s not fully clear, just yet, is whose responsibility it is to initiate the contact with the other.

In the case of Feorenzo’s step-mother, her GP was aware of what happened to her whilst she was admitted, but it wasn’t clear who made the phone calls. Or who should make the calls.

So why is all of this necessary? One of the hospital employees we did speak with explained it fairly succinctly.

“If a physician has patients in more than one hospital, it is really not easy for them to travel to all the different locations,” the employee, whose name we will not use, because they are not authorized to speak on the matter, said. “Let’s say a doctor has a patient in a hospital in Essex County, Bergen County and Hudson County. That’s a lot of ground for one doctor to cover. The hospitalist’s position is extraordinary in that she or he can coordinate a patient’s care right from the hospital in conjunction with a GP. There’s no need to travel and in theory, every doctor with hospitalized patients will spend part of the day working the phones. It’s really a win-win situation for overburdened physicians, for the patients and for the hospitals.”

Still, one final doctor says he believes that while the insurance industry is not to blame fully, it bears responsibility for doctors who do not visit hospitalized patients.

“If a solo practitioner has to visit a patient, the insurance companies are not going to pay them to go,” the doctor said. “So it’s financial — and a doctor who is alone in an office would be better off not going to visit and not being paid. It’s different when there are more than one doctors in an office, but that is not a luxury every doctor has.”

Be sure to check your hospital bills to be sure.

PITMAN

Continued from Page 1

Bergen County Commissioner Steven A. Tanelli, who served as a councilman in North Arlington whilst Pitman was mayor, took time to reflect on his late friend’s contribution to the borough.

Though the two Democrats didn’t always see eye to eye, that never changed how Tanelli felt about the man.

“My deepest condolences go to the Pitman family on their loss. Russ was a loving husband, father and grandfather, an usher at Queen of Peace Church and much more,” Tanelli said. “He devoted a great part of his life to the borough, serving on various boards and ultimately, winning election as Mayor.

“Russ cared about people and I truly believe his motivation for running for elected office was to help improve the community, especially those most in need. Russ was dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone in North Arlington. Above all, Russ was a great guy and will be missed. May he rest in eternal peace.”

The late mayor’s funeral was at the Parow Funeral Home, North Arlington, Monday, May 16, with a Mass at Queen of Peace that same day.

THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES.

CONSIDER PRINTWORK FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

COUNTER CARDS

Any flat surface or countertop becomes premium space with easel-backed, full color Counter Cards. Use them in glass display cases, on bookshelves, register counters and tabletops.

• Gyms, Studios, Business Offices (Advertising, promos, etc.) • Hotels (Including pricing and service lists) • Real Estate Offices (Inc. property info, pricing, etc.) • Schools • Retail Stores (Showcasing product details)

MOUNTED CANVAS

High quality artist canvas printed and mounted on light and durable stretcher bars. Perfect to be used as gifts or businesses!

• Business Wall Decoration • Gifts for Anniversary/Wedding • Home Decorations

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

TRADING CARDS

Trade artwork, photos, and just about any Trade artwork, photos, and just about any image or message imaginable! image or message imaginable! • Informational Cards • Networking Cards • Promotional Business Cards