HOW HOSPITAL AT HOME SAVES LIVES WHILE REDUCING COSTS

Providing hospital-level care for patients at their home

Point of Care (POC) is the treatment of a patient at a location like their residence. Treating them there is called “hospital at home” or HaH. We’ll be covering its advantages over in-hospital care as well as how it’s done step-by-step.

Bringing the Hospital Home

HaH is defined by John Hopkins Medicine as a program that delivers hospital-level care to a patient at a POC. This is usually that patient’s primary residence.

The concept is not new, and is quite common in countries with single-payer health services like the UK, Canada, and Australia. The advantages have led various private entities like US schools to establish similar programs.

The pandemic accelerated HaH as the government sought to free scarce hospital beds for acute COVID-19 cases. In late 2020, Medicare announced it would start reimbursing these programs.

At Home Care Advantages

Studies from the American Hospital Association showed hospital at home care to be effective at:

Freeing up critically needed hospital beds. Patients even with medium acuity issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure, which are normally treated with a lengthy hospital stay, can do so at home. That now empty bed can then be occupied by patients needing round-the-clock observation and treatment.

Addressing patients in rural areas. These patients don’t have to trek for hours to get treatment or even a follow-up thanks to HaH. Instead, they’re cared for by local paramedics who are guided remotely through telemedicine by the hospital physician.

Reducing costs. At-home care has been documented to reduce medical expenses by up to 25 percent on average compared to in-hospital care.

Avoiding HAIs. Patients in HaH programs don’t have to worry about hospital-acquired infections (HAI).

Helping patient recovery faster. Patients who go through HaH care have a 20 percent lower morbidity rate and are three times less likely to suffer readmission.

Satisfying patient mental health. Studies from patients, their families, to caregivers, have consistently shown greater satisfaction with the programs. In fact, one study has shown up to 90 percent satisfaction from patients versus 67 percent from in-hospital care.

Hospital at Home, Step by Step

Here’s what to expect based on the Hospital at Home™ program developed by John Hopkins Medicine:

A potential candidate

The patient is assessed in the ER to see if they’re a good candidate for the program. Illnesses like pneumonia, congestive heart failure, diabetes, cellulitis, and even less acute forms of COVID-19, are all treatable in HaH settings.

Home is where the health is

A physician versed in HaH first evaluates the patient to see if they’re a candidate. Discussion is extended to family members and support personnel like caregivers. The residence is also discussed:

Is the residence clean?

Is there HVAC?

Is there sufficient power for the medical devices?

Is there connectivity like Wi-Fi?

Is there running water?

From bedroom to hospital room

The patient who is approved for the program is transported back home usually by ambulance. Any necessary medical equipment is set up. These may include:

blood pressure and heart rate monitoring systems

medical panel PCs

workstation on wheels

Such biometric systems provide constant information on the patient’s condition to clinicians and RNs (see below).

Housecalls 21st century-style

Nurses will visit the home daily to check on the patient. They administer any necessary treatments and medications. A physician may also visit either in-person, virtually via telehealth, or both.

Patients can reach either RNs or clinicians via mobile devices like tablets. While some of these may be off-the-shelf brands, it’s recommended they be medical grade. That’s because they’re equipped with features like an antimicrobial surface, IP65 rating for easy cleaning of the screen, and high-performance batteries. All these ensure better patient safety.

Just a quick trip

Patients needing a specialized study like an X-ray get scanned by a visiting mobile imaging company. Otherwise, arrangements are made for a brief visit at the nearest equipped medical facility.

You may now go home. Which is your living room

Patients in the program are treated until their condition is stable, being referred back to their providers for follow-ups.

Closing Thoughts

Hospital at Home is making its way in the US as the public and private sectors see its benefits as an alternative to the lengthy ﹘ and even more costly ﹘ hospital stay. Contact the experts at Cybernet if you’re looking for solutions for your hospital at home program.