Catholic Health Home Care has maintained a low average readmission rate of 4.6% over 30 months for patients with CHF using the Health Recovery Solutions (HRS) telehealth platform. The rehospitalization data, collected from January 2016 to June 2018, is not time specific and instead reflects overall readmission rates for each quarter. During this time, Catholic Health Home Care served over 1,300 patients with telehealth and achieved quarterly readmission rates as low as 3% for their high-risk CHF patients.
Catholic Health Home Care, one of the top home care agencies in the United States, partnered with HRS in November 2015 to enhance remote care and lower rehospitalizations for high risk patients. Over the past four years, they have demonstrated both long-term and short-term success. In the first two quarters of 2018, Catholic Health Home Care continued to demonstrate exceptional care with telehealth by achieving readmission rates of 3.8% and 3.6%.
Patients placed on Catholic Health's telehealth program are provided with 4G tablets loaded with the HRS software. The tablets pair with Bluetooth peripheral devices that allow patients to keep track of their blood pressure, weight, heart rate, and other relevant biometric data. Clinicians use the software to remotely monitor patient vitals, respond to risk alerts when patients are at risk for readmission, and conduct nursing visits through video, phone, and text chat all in real time.
In addition to maintaining low readmission rates, Catholic Health has increased referrals from certified nurses and physicians to their telehealth program. In January 2018, Catholic Health Home Care received 74 patient referrals, which was their highest number per month in four years.
Jenna Kowalski, Manager of Clinical Operations at Mercy Home Care of Catholic Health, recognizes the role of telehealth in reducing re-hospitalizations for high risk patients. She states, "Telehealth allows for improved surveillance of our homebound patients. It allows for our nurses to do daily vital sign and symptom management assessments; often catching issues early before they become emergent."
Rich Curry, Vice President of Business Development at HRS, adds, "Catholic Health has established a fantastic telehealth program with HRS. Their readmission rates are a direct reflection of the hard work of their staff and their dedication to patient care. We are honored to be a partner in their success."
View the original press release here.
