Hospital at Home Programs Enhance Patient Care and Reduce Costs in the U.S.
United States, Tuesday, 31 December 2024.
Hospital at Home programs by Novant Health, Providence, and University Health improve outcomes and satisfaction, using Remote Patient Monitoring for innovative chronic care solutions.
Transformative Impact on Healthcare Delivery
Hospital at Home (HaH) programs are demonstrating remarkable success in transforming traditional healthcare delivery models. Novant Health’s program, launched in March 2024, has achieved an impressive 100% patient satisfaction rate with 52 patients enrolled in its first six months [1]. This success is particularly significant as recent surveys indicate that 56% of HaH patients believe they recover faster at home than in traditional hospital settings [1]. The programs have consistently shown lower mortality rates, reduced readmissions, and fewer complications compared to traditional hospital care [1].
Expanding Reach and Proven Success
Major healthcare providers have demonstrated the scalability and effectiveness of HaH programs. Providence has been operating under the CMS Acute Care at Home Waiver since July 2022, utilizing internal resources across seven states [1]. Meanwhile, University Health in San Antonio has made remarkable progress since launching their program in July 2021, successfully transferring over 2,502 patients and opening 13,080 bed days [1]. These implementations have proven particularly timely, as 89% of surveyed physicians acknowledge that telemedicine has significantly increased patient access to care [4].
Legislative Support and Future Outlook
The future of HaH programs has received crucial legislative backing with the recent stopgap budget bill passed on December 31, 2024, extending key telehealth and Hospital-at-Home waivers until March 31, 2025 [3]. This extension affects over 350 health systems nationwide [3]. Healthcare leaders are now actively working to secure permanent coverage, with Kyle Zebley of the American Telemedicine Association stating, ‘We will immediately begin working to ensure Congress makes Medicare telehealth flexibilities and the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program permanent’ [3].
Technology Integration and Future Innovations
Looking ahead to 2025, the integration of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is expected to become mainstream in healthcare delivery [4]. These programs are being enhanced by advancements in sensor technology, data analytics, and the expansion of 5G networks [4]. Health Recovery Solutions (HRS) is supporting this evolution by providing FDA-cleared devices for vital signs monitoring and seamless EHR integration, along with 24/7 patient support [1]. This technological foundation is crucial as healthcare continues its trajectory toward greater innovation and patient empowerment [4].