Florence Gordon, a retired hospital nurse, faced the prospect of a lengthy hospital stay at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center due to pneumonia in the summer of 2023. Despite her and her daughter Joy’s deep understanding and appreciation for hospital care, Florence, having experienced two strokes, yearned for the comfort of her own home. “She’s much more mobile there,” Joy explained, emphasizing her mother’s familiarity and routine at home.
To their surprise, the medical team proposed an alternative: a Home Recovery Care Program. “We were like, ‘Duh, yeah,’” Joy recounted, highlighting their immediate enthusiasm.
Gordon became a participant in the Penn State Health Home Recovery Care program, established in 2021 in collaboration with Highmark Health and Contessa. Around 280 patients mirroring Gordon’s condition have since recuperated at home, benefiting from consistent in-person nursing care, daily doctor consultations, necessary medications, and specialized medical equipment, all within the familiar setting of their homes.
Dr. Kamia Thakur, the program’s medical director, points to research indicating that patients in home recovery care programs often experience improved outcomes compared to traditional hospitalization. A National Institutes of Health study from 2021, for instance, revealed a 26% decrease in readmission risk for patients receiving at-home care. The same study also noted lower depression and anxiety levels among home recovery patients.
The advantages of a home recovery care program extend beyond individual patient benefits. In an era of emergency room overcrowding and extended wait times, this program helps free up hospital beds, ensuring quicker access to emergency care for those in critical need.
Who is a Candidate for Home Recovery Care?
Florence Gordon’s transition home was remarkably swift; within 12 hours of arriving at the hospital, she was back in her own environment. She was deemed suitable for the home recovery care program because her condition didn’t require intensive care or surgical intervention.
Another key factor was her proximity to the hospital. Residing just 14 miles from Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, she met the program’s criteria that patients must live within a 30-mile radius.
It’s important to note that enrollment in a home recovery care program isn’t patient-initiated. A dedicated healthcare team evaluates current inpatients daily to identify potential candidates. Eligible patients are then offered the option to participate, and overwhelmingly, they choose to recover at home.
Florence’s spirited nature, described by Joy as that of a “feisty little Mennonite woman,” made returning home particularly appealing. Despite the challenges from previous strokes, her active engagement in community and personal routines highlighted the importance of maintaining her home environment for recovery. A prolonged hospital stay risked disrupting this crucial routine, making the home recovery care program an ideal solution.
The Comprehensive Care at Home Experience
Upon arriving home, Florence found her residence transformed into a care-conducive space. Penn State Health teams promptly installed an oxygen supply and other necessary equipment. From IV equipment to vital signs monitoring systems linked to hospital computers, and mobility aids, the home recovery care program ensures patients have everything required for effective recuperation within their homes.
Regulatory standards mandate that the care quality in a home recovery care program must equal or exceed that of traditional hospital care, emphasized Dr. Thakur.
Florence received twice-daily visits from a team of about ten Milton S. Hershey Medical Center nurses who rotate through the home recovery care program. These nurses administered medications, monitored vital signs, provided emotional support, collected samples for lab work, and even performed on-site ultrasounds and X-rays.
Complementing in-person visits, patients are equipped with computer tablets for telehealth consultations with doctors.
Dr. Thakur highlights that both in-home visits and virtual consultations significantly enhance patient care compared to hospital settings. Home healthcare professionals gain unique insights into patients’ daily lives, observing medication adherence, dietary habits, and other lifestyle factors influencing health – aspects often missed in a hospital environment.
Telehealth video conferencing allows for more personalized attention. Doctors dedicated to the home recovery care program conduct virtual rounds weekly, engaging in consultations that can last up to 30 minutes—a stark contrast to the brief 5-10 minute interactions typical during hospital rounds.
While acknowledging the reduced physical contact, Dr. Thakur emphasizes the benefit of extended consultation times, allowing for a deeper understanding of patients within the home recovery care program.
Reclaiming Independence and Well-being
Joy expressed her pleasant surprise at the level of care her mother received. The consistent nursing visits and gradual weaning off oxygen marked Florence’s steady improvement.
Soon, Florence resumed her daily activities: walking, writing cards, reading her Bible, and engaging in her DrumFIT exercises. Joy believes that a traditional hospital stay might have hindered her mother’s progress, whereas the home recovery care program facilitated her recovery and helped maintain her spirited independence.
“It was phenomenal,” Joy concluded, underscoring the positive impact of the home recovery care program on her mother’s health and well-being.
