Who is Eligible for the Hospital Care At Home Program?
The Hospital Care at Home program is designed for patients who require hospital-level medical attention but are expected to recover well at home with appropriate support. Ideal candidates are generally those whose conditions are stable and less likely to necessitate complex, hospital-based procedures during their treatment.
Common conditions effectively managed through our Hospital Care at Home program include:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- COVID-19
- Influenza (Flu)
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Acute Kidney Injuries
- Certain Skin Infections
Each patient undergoes a thorough evaluation to determine their suitability for receiving care at home, based on strict safety criteria. Our dedicated care team prioritizes patient safety and will only recommend Hospital Care at Home if we are confident that your needs can be safely and effectively met within your home environment. Patient well-being is our paramount concern.
Can I Decide if I Want Hospital Care at Home?
Absolutely. If your healthcare provider suggests Hospital Care at Home as an option, the final decision rests entirely with you. Our compassionate care team is committed to providing you with all the necessary information and answering all your questions. This ensures you feel fully informed and comfortable making the choice between receiving care in the comfort of your home or within the traditional hospital setting. We empower you to make the best decision for your health journey.
Will My Insurance Cover Hospital Care at Home Services?
Our dedicated team is here to assist you in navigating insurance coverage for Hospital Care at Home. As an innovative and evolving model of care, Hospital Care at Home is increasingly recognized by insurance providers, though individual plan coverage can differ. We will proactively contact your insurance company to verify your specific coverage details and explore how the Hospital Care at Home program can work for you. We strive to make healthcare accessible and understandable.
Is it Possible to Receive Hospital Care at Home if I Live Alone?
Yes, living alone does not disqualify you from participating in Hospital Care at Home. A dedicated caregiver is not a mandatory requirement. If you are currently living independently and can manage your daily activities without needing assistance, and if our care team determines it’s clinically appropriate, Hospital Care at Home is a viable option for you. Independence and comfort are key aspects we consider.
What is the Typical Duration of Hospital Care at Home?
The length of your Hospital Care at Home program is personalized to your specific needs and recovery progress, and is determined by your dedicated care team. Your participation in the program concludes once you have achieved your pre-determined health goals. While the duration varies, the majority of patients typically receive Hospital Care at Home for a period of 3 to 5 days. Our focus is on efficient and effective recovery tailored to you.
How Will I Know if Hospital Care at Home is Right for Me?
Your healthcare team will proactively suggest Hospital Care at Home as a potential option if they believe it is a safe and effective way to deliver your hospital-level care in your home environment. We encourage you to also feel empowered to ask your care team if Hospital Care at Home could be suitable for your situation. It’s important to note that while we strive to offer this option broadly, certain types of treatments may require the resources of a traditional hospital setting and may not be available through the Hospital Care at Home program. Open communication with your healthcare provider is encouraged.
What Sets Hospital Care at Home Apart from Virtual Care?
While both Hospital Care at Home and Virtual Care leverage technology, they offer distinct levels of care. Virtual Care encompasses services like E-Visits, Video Consultations, and remote health monitoring. Hospital Care at Home may incorporate some of these virtual tools, but it goes significantly further by providing in-person home visits from our skilled team of Hospital Care at Home nurses, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals. Crucially, Hospital Care at Home is considered a formal hospital admission, providing comprehensive, inpatient, hospital-level treatment within the comfort and privacy of your residence. It’s a higher intensity of care delivered at home.
Who Will Be Part of My Hospital Care at Home Team?
Your Hospital Care at Home team is a dedicated group of medical professionals led by experienced U-M Health doctors. This team includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, and other specialized healthcare providers such as paramedics, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians, all working collaboratively to support your recovery. You will have 24/7 access to your care team through phone and video conferencing via our Hospital Care at Home command center, ensuring immediate support whenever you need it, day or night.
This specialized Hospital Care at Home team is focused exclusively on delivering hospital-level care in the home setting. It’s important to note that your primary care physician and specialist physicians will likely not be directly involved in your day-to-day Hospital Care at Home treatment. However, your Hospital Care at Home physician team will meticulously document your care within your electronic medical record. This ensures that your regular U-M Health physicians have complete and up-to-date information regarding your treatment and progress throughout your Hospital Care at Home admission. Continuity of care and seamless communication within the U-M Health system are priorities.
When Will Home Visits Occur with Hospital Care at Home?
Home visits from our nurses, physicians, and nurse practitioners, as well as any necessary medication deliveries, are carefully scheduled throughout the day based on your individualized treatment plan. You will receive advance notice regarding the approximate timing of your scheduled home visits. A detailed schedule outlining your care plan will be readily accessible to you on a provided tablet device, keeping you informed and prepared.
Furthermore, you will have continuous and immediate access to our virtual care team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This ensures that even outside of scheduled home visits, medical support and answers to your questions are always just a call or video chat away. We prioritize both in-person and virtual accessibility to your care team.
Am I Allowed to Leave My Home During Hospital Care at Home Treatment?
Similar to traditional hospital admissions where patients are advised to remain within the hospital facility, we kindly request that you stay at home throughout the duration of your Hospital Care at Home treatment. This is to ensure you receive the focused care and monitoring necessary for your recovery and to prevent any potential complications. Staying home supports the effectiveness of the program and your well-being.
What if I’m Not Comfortable with Tablets or Smartphones?
We understand that not everyone is equally comfortable with mobile devices. While the Hospital Care at Home program does incorporate the use of technology to facilitate communication and care delivery, we provide comprehensive support to ensure it’s user-friendly for everyone. A member of our dedicated team will personally visit your home to set up all the necessary equipment and ensure you are comfortable using it to connect with your care team. We will provide you with a tablet, equipped with Bluetooth and cellular data capabilities, for your use throughout your admission. Rest assured, around-the-clock technology assistance is readily available to provide ongoing support and address any technical questions or challenges you may encounter during your care at home. We make technology easy and accessible.
Is Hospital Care at Home Suitable for Chronic Conditions?
Hospital Care at Home is specifically designed as a program for the management of acute medical conditions that necessitate hospital-level care for a defined period. It is distinct from home health care or skilled nursing programs, which are typically geared towards longer-term care needs. If you require ongoing care or assistance with daily living activities due to a chronic condition, your care team can recommend other appropriate services and programs tailored to chronic disease management. Hospital Care at Home focuses on acute, not chronic, care needs.
What Types of Medical Equipment Might Be Used in My Home?
Hospital Care at Home may involve a range of medical equipment, depending on your specific treatment plan. This could include items such as IV equipment, oxygen therapy supplies, wound care dressings, nebulizer treatments, catheter supplies, and assistive devices like walkers or portable bedside commodes. We will provide you with clear and comprehensive instructions on the use of any equipment provided. Importantly, your Hospital Care at Home team will handle all aspects of care requiring medical training during their scheduled home visits.
Neither you nor anyone residing with you during your Hospital Care at Home admission is required to possess any prior medical training or special skills related to the equipment. All necessary medical equipment will be delivered directly to your home prior to the start of your program and will be collected once your Hospital Care at Home admission is complete. We handle the logistics and technical aspects of your care.
What Happens if I Need More Intensive Care or a Procedure Not Available at Home?
While the vast majority of patients successfully complete their Hospital Care at Home treatment without needing to transfer to a traditional hospital, we are fully prepared to handle any situation that may arise. In the rare instance that you require a specific procedure or a level of care that cannot be provided in your home environment, your dedicated care team will seamlessly and efficiently arrange for a safe transfer to the hospital to receive those services. Our commitment is to ensure you receive the right care, at the right time, and in the most appropriate setting for your needs. Patient safety and well-being are always our top priorities.
What is the Difference Between Hospital Care at Home and Home Health Care?
Hospital Care at Home and home health care are both valuable services delivered in the home, but they address different levels of medical need. Hospital Care at Home provides acute care, which is essentially the same intensity and type of medical care you would receive as an inpatient in a hospital, but delivered in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. Hospital Care at Home is typically a short-term program designed for patients who require hospital-level treatment for an acute illness.
Home health care, on the other hand, is generally offered to manage illnesses or injuries that do not necessitate hospital admission, or to support recovery and rehabilitation after a hospital stay is completed. It focuses on skilled nursing care, therapy services, and assistance with activities of daily living in the home setting. Think of Hospital Care at Home as bringing the hospital to your home for acute conditions, while home health care provides ongoing support for less acute or post-hospitalization needs.
