South Jersey’s Hospital at Home Programs Restart Amid Uncertain Future

South Jersey’s hospital-at-home programs are resuming operations after a temporary suspension due to the recent government shutdown. Programs under the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, run by Virtua Health, allow eligible patients to receive hospital-level care in their homes. This shift not only aims to enhance patient comfort but also seeks to alleviate pressure on hospital facilities.

At a Virtua Health hospital, patients may be given the option to either stay for treatment or receive care at home. This program leverages advanced technology, enabling doctors and nurses to conduct remote monitoring, in-person exams, and necessary medical procedures. According to Dr. Diego Ortega, the clinical lead physician of Virtua’s Hospital at Home program, “It truly is an acute care program that brings all the resources of the hospital room that you traditionally imagine right into your own living room.”

The federal program was initially launched in 2020 to provide hospitals flexibility and to free up inpatient beds for more critically ill patients. Medicare has approved participation for over 400 facilities across 147 health systems nationwide, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The program caters to patients with manageable conditions such as COVID-19, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure.

Continuity of Care and Improved Outcomes

Patients enrolled in the program are monitored 24/7 with devices that transmit vital signs to a command center staffed by healthcare professionals. Dr. Ortega noted that these tools allow for a more detailed understanding of patient progress, stating, “We can see when a patient of ours is improving day by day because we have this flow of continuous vitals from this technology.”

In addition to remote monitoring, patients receive multiple daily visits from registered nurses who can administer medications and perform various tests. The program has shown promising early results, with a 2024 federal report indicating that patients treated at home experienced lower mortality rates and fewer hospital-acquired infections compared to those receiving traditional hospital care.

Dr. Rupa Kashyap, chief hospitalist at Virtua Willingboro Hospital, emphasized the benefits of home care, including reduced incidences of confusion and falls, particularly among elderly patients. “All that is much less when they are cared for at home,” she said.

Challenges Ahead for Hospital Care at Home

Despite its successes, the future of the hospital-at-home initiative remains uncertain. The program is set to expire on January 30, 2024, following a lapse during the government shutdown on October 1, 2023. While healthcare providers and trade organizations are urging Congress to either make the program permanent or extend it for five more years, the outcome is still uncertain.

Dr. Kashyap expressed concern about the timing of this development, as hospitals typically see an influx of patients during the winter months due to respiratory illnesses. “Every winter, we see surges in the hospital. We have a backlog of patients waiting to be admitted,” she noted.

As Medicare open enrollment approaches on October 15, patients and families are encouraged to learn about their options, especially regarding this innovative care model. The potential for the hospital-at-home program to expand could significantly improve patient outcomes if it receives the necessary support from Congress.

In summary, as South Jersey’s hospital-at-home programs restart, the focus will be on navigating the challenges ahead while aiming to enhance patient care and alleviate hospital congestion. The coming months will be crucial in determining the long-term viability of this initiative.