The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and one of the most innovative and patient-centered trends gaining momentum is Hospital at Home (HaH). HaH programs allow eligible patients to receive high-quality, acute-level care in the comfort of their homes. This blog highlights the remarkable achievements of Health Recovery Solutions (HRS) customers, Novant Health, Providence, and University Health, as well as outlines best practices and ways HRS can empower other health systems to successfully launch and operate their own HaH programs.
Why Hospital at Home?
Dozens of randomized controlled trials and two meta-analyses demonstrate that hospital at home is safe and effective. Delivering hospital-level care at home offers a multitude of benefits for both patients and providers:
-
Improved Clinical Outcomes: Research has consistently shown that HaH care can lead to lower mortality rates, reduced readmissions, fewer complications, decreased length of stay, and better functional outcomes.
-
Enhanced Patient Experience: Patients consistently report higher satisfaction with HaH care compared to traditional hospital stays. They appreciate the comfort, convenience, and familiarity of being at home, leading to improved sleep, better nutrition, and increased mobility. A survey of 1,100 HaH patients found that 56% agreed that people recover faster at home than in the hospital.
-
Cost Savings: HaH programs can significantly reduce healthcare costs due to shorter lengths of stay, fewer lab and diagnostic tests, and reduced utilization of expensive hospital resources.
-
Increased Hospital Capacity: By shifting eligible patients to home-based care, hospitals can free up inpatient beds for those requiring more intensive care, alleviating capacity constraints and improving overall efficiency.
5 Lessons Learned About Hospital at Home Programs
Health Recovery Solutions interviewed two Hospital at Home program leaders at Michigan Medicine and Allina Health who provided helpful insights into their Hospital at Home programs and shared their lessons for success.
Novant Health: Patient Satisfaction Reaches 100%
Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center launched its HaH program in March 2024 and has already achieved remarkable results. With 52 patients enrolled in the first six months, the program boasts a 100% patient satisfaction rate. This success can be attributed to several key factors:
-
Focus on Patient Comfort and Well-being: Novant’s program emphasizes sleep, nutrition, and mobility. Patients are allowed uninterrupted sleep, provided with tailored meals from the hospital’s kitchen, and encouraged to move freely around their homes.
-
High-Tech and High-Touch Care: Patients are equipped with user-friendly tablets for seamless communication with their care team, including 24/7 access to a nurse. The program also utilizes remote patient monitoring devices to track vital signs and provides necessary medical equipment.
-
Strong Family Support and Involvement: Novant prioritizes patient safety and screens candidates carefully, ensuring they have adequate support at home. Family members are actively included in the care plan, fostering a collaborative approach.
Providence: Delivering High-Quality Care at Home
Providence St. Peters has been operating under the CMS Acute Care at Home Waiver since July 12, 2022. Providence's HaH program distinguishes itself through its multi-state operations, virtual care model, and utilization of internal resources:
-
Scalability and Sustainability: Providence's program is designed to operate at scale across its seven-state acute care footprint in the western U.S. Their virtual-based care model supports physician flexibility, facilitating program expansion.
-
Emphasis on Internal Resources: Providence prioritizes utilizing its existing clinical network and internal expertise, including its established TeleHospitalist service, to support the HaH program. The care team and services are largely sourced from within Providence.
-
Proven Positive Outcomes: Providence's program aligns with the extensive research validating the efficacy and value of HaH care. This includes reduced mortality and readmission rates, improved patient and caregiver satisfaction, and cost savings.
Patient Testimonials Highlight the Positive Impact of Providence's HaH program:
-
“This program gave me the best of both worlds. I could drink as much water as I wanted, pet my dog, relax on my comfy couch instead of a hard gurney, watch stupid TV shows, and joke with my husband, all while getting inpatient-level treatment. My Care Team responded more quickly than inpatient nurses can answer a Call Button. Every question I had was immediately answered, and everyone was so nice they almost brought me to tears.”
-
“The technology worked very well and all the doctors, nurses, and physical therapists we talked to were very helpful, knowledgeable, and caring individuals.”
Providence's focus on internal resources, scalability, and the positive patient experience aligns with the broader benefits of HaH programs. Research supports the efficacy of HaH in improving clinical outcomes, enhancing the patient experience, and reducing healthcare costs.
University Health: Leading the Way in South Texas
University Health in San Antonio, Texas, stands out as a pioneer in HaH care, having accepted its first patient on July 12, 2021, becoming one of the first 40 hospitals in the nation and the first in South Texas to embrace this innovative care model. University Health's HaH program has successfully transferred over 2,502 patients, effectively opening up 13,080 bed days within the hospital. Key aspects of their program include:
-
Strong Inpatient Criteria: Patients must meet inpatient criteria, ensuring they receive the same level of care they would in a traditional hospital setting.
-
Flexibility and Patient Choice: The program offers patients the option of receiving care in their homes or utilizing contracted beds at a local hotel, catering to diverse needs and preferences.
-
Comprehensive Services: University Health provides a wide array of services, including daily physician or NP virtual visits, two nurse visits per day, wound care, IV antibiotics, lab services, medication management, and access to the same consulting services available in the hospital.
-
Remote Patient Monitoring: The program utilizes RPM to bridge the gap between patients and providers, leveraging user-friendly tablets and Bluetooth-connected devices for vital sign monitoring and virtual consultations.
University Health's impressive track record demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing HaH programs in diverse healthcare settings. Their commitment to patient-centered care, robust clinical protocols, and integration of technology have contributed to their remarkable success in improving patient outcomes and expanding access to care.
Key Considerations and Best Practices for Implementing Hospital at Home
The success stories of Novant Health, Providence, and University Health offer valuable insights for other health systems considering implementing their own HaH programs. Here are some essential factors to consider:
-
Clearly Define Program Goals and Objectives: Outline measurable goals that align with your organization's strategic priorities. These may include reducing readmissions, improving patient satisfaction, or increasing bed capacity.
-
Secure Leadership Buy-In and Support: Develop a strong executive vision and cultivate commitment from key stakeholders. Establish a cross-functional steering committee to ensure alignment across the system.
-
Identify and Empower Physician Champions: Enlist passionate physicians who believe in the value of HaH to advocate for the program and drive adoption.
-
Develop a Robust Operational Plan: Establish well-defined roles and responsibilities, streamlined workflows, and clear communication channels for seamless care coordination.
-
Ensure 24/7 Clinical Monitoring and Support: Establish a dedicated command center or partner with a trusted vendor like HRS to provide continuous patient monitoring, timely alert triage, and escalation of urgent concerns.
How Health Recovery Solutions Can Help
Health Recovery Solutions (HRS) offers a suite of telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) solutions specifically designed to support successful HaH programs. Here are some ways HRS can help your organization:
-
Comprehensive Patient Monitoring: HRS provides a range of FDA-cleared devices to capture vital signs, enabling early detection of potential issues. The platform also includes symptom surveys, medication reminders, and educational resources tailored to specific conditions.
-
Seamless EHR Integration: HRS integrates with all major EHR platforms, ensuring smooth data flow and eliminating the need for manual data entry, reducing administrative burden, and minimizing errors.
-
Clinical Expertise and Support: HRS' team of clinicians and implementation specialists provides expert guidance on program design, patient selection criteria, clinical protocols, and ongoing support for your staff.
-
24/7 Patient Support and Triage: HRS offers optional 24/7 clinical monitoring services, acting as an extension of your care team to ensure timely intervention and escalation of urgent concerns.
-
Reimbursement Expertise: HRS has a dedicated team of reimbursement specialists to help navigate the complexities of HaH billing and ensure appropriate reimbursement for services rendered.
By leveraging the expertise and technology of HRS, your health system can confidently launch a HaH program that delivers exceptional care, improves patient outcomes, and enhances operational efficiency.
Hospital at Home is transforming the way we deliver healthcare. With the right planning, technology, and partnerships, your organization can join the ranks of leading healthcare providers like Novant Health, Providence, and University Health in bringing the hospital home and providing patients with the highest quality care in the most comfortable setting.