Physician Handbook

The Physician Extender Service at Mercy Hospital provides collaborative medical impatient care 24 hour service, 7 days a week.

The service is staffed by 12 physician assistants and nurse practitioners, most of whom have between 5 and 10 years of experience at Mercy Hospital.   They collaborate with over 195 area physicians to provide initial evaluations (H&P) of patients being admitted through the ED or directly admitted through the physician's office.  They provide complete daily hospital care for the physician's patients including writing progress notes, ordering tests, responding to urgent medical needs and keeping the physician updated on their patients' care and medical needs.

Physician Extenders also keep a patient's family informed at any time of day or night.  When the patient is ready for discharge or transfer, the physician extender will provide a discharge or transfer summary and patient instructions upon request.

The Physician Extender Service is integrated with the Hospitalist Service, assisting them in the same manner with their admissions and patient management when needed.

Obtaining Service:  The Physician Extender Service is offered to all Internal Medicine and Family Practice physicians who have admitting privileges at Mercy Hospital.  The one time signing of the supervisory agreement is required.

To contact the Physician Extender Service Manager, David Terwilliger, call 879-3049, pager 741-1345, or email terwilld@mercyme.com