Hospital at Home

Hospital at Home is a program that allows some patients to receive hospital-level care in their homes. Patients with certain conditions previously managed only during an inpatient hospital stay now have the option to be cared for in the comfort and convenience of their home.

When you choose Hospital at Home, you will receive compassionate, high-quality hospital-level of care. You will get in-person and virtual visits from University Health professionals to support your care and recovery.

The same University Health doctors and staff you know, and trust will care for you. In addition to doctors and registered nurses, your care team at home may include:

Nurse practitioners
Social workers
Care coordinators
Respiratory therapist
Physical therapists
Other specialists

Who Can Receive Hospital-level Care at home?

Hospital at Home is a voluntary program where your doctor will meet with you and your family to determine if you are a good candidate for this service.

Patients eligible for care in a Hospital at Home program require hospitalization and also meet other medical and social criteria to ensure that the program is safe and appropriate for them.

If you qualify for the Hospital at Home care, you will have the chance to review the program, discuss requirements and ask questions.

We offer Hospital at Home for some patients with these conditions:

If you and your doctor agree that Hospital at Home is right for you, we will provide the tools necessary for your care.

Do I Qualify?

To qualify for Hospital at Home, you need to:

Live within 20 miles of University Health Main Campus located at 4502 Medical Drive.
Have a home situation that is deemed safe
Have a condition that requires hospital-level care is stable enough to be monitored from home

Wi-Fi is not required. University Health will provide tablets that use cell service.

How Does It Work?

A nurse will visit you at home twice a day to:

Check vitals
Administer medications
Draw necessary labs
Help you communicate with a physician through telemedicine

You will have a dedicated nurse phone line you can access 24 hours a day. You can also take your own readings, like blood pressure and oxygen levels, then upload them into a monitored system several times a day.

You might wear a biosensor that continuously monitors your temperature, breathing, coughing patterns and activity levels. This is especially important for COVID-19 patients. If a number is outside the normal range, it triggers a call from a nurse.

If your condition begins to deteriorate for any reason, you can quickly be brought back to our hospital.

What Is the Difference Between Treatment at Home and Staying in the Hospital?

Many patients who choose Hospital at Home say being cared for at home allows them to be more comfortable, get more rest and get back on their feet sooner. Because they don’t have to comply with hospital visitation policies, they can recover comfortably with the support of their loved ones.

You will receive same excellent care at home as you would receive in the hospital. This includes services such as medications, lab tests, physical and/or occupational therapy and oxygen therapy.

What Is Included With This Service?

Transportation to and from the hospital
Delivery of medications and setup of any equipment you may need. Hospital at Home Care Tablet allows you to monitor your health, communicate with your care team and learn about your health.
Daily telemedicine or in-person visits from our doctors or nurse practitioners
Twice daily home visits from a registered nurse
Support from our social workers and physical therapists
A dedicated Recovery Care Coordinator who will guide your care, communicate with your care team and schedule follow-up appointments

What Is the Cost of Hospital at Home?

You can receive Hospital at Home care at no additional cost. Your cost will be based on the care you receive and your insurance plan. While you are in the Hospital at Home program, we will provide you with a hospital care kit with medical equipment. You must return these items after you are discharged from the program.

Can I Leave My Home While in the Program?

Just as if you were staying in the hospital, the level of activity you are permitted will depend on your individual condition and overall health. To ensure your safety, we ask that you stay home during your Hospital at Home admission. Your doctor will let you know when you may resume regular activities.

Example of Schedule During Hospital at Home Care

Schedule example during Hospital at Home Care