What is Hospital-at-Home ? It ’ s defined as the provision of health services , by healthcare practitioners and formal and informal caregivers , in the home . Hospital-at-Home promotes , restores and maintains a patient ’ s maximum level of comfort , function and health , including care towards a dignified death . It can be classified into preventive , promotive , therapeutic , rehabilitative , long-term maintenance and palliative care categories .
When is Hospital-at-Home appropriate ?
• Post-operative care – after a surgery or procedure , so that you gain your independence and become as self-sufficient as possible
• Generalised illness - when you are ill enough to be admitted to hospital but can be treated at home by healthcare practitioners
• Palliative care – when you have a life-limiting illness and the focus is on the relief of symptoms , pain and stress . Some patients may also receive therapeutic treatment .
The primary benefit of Hospital-at-Home is that you are in a space which is familiar and you are usually surrounded by loved ones . This is beneficial not only for those recovering from a disease or needing palliative care but especially those who have cognitive diseases such as dementia .
The alternative to hospital strategy Dr Mkhatshwa says Hospital-at-Home enables some patients who need acute-level care to receive care in their homes , rather than in a hospital . This care delivery model has shown to improve outcomes , enhance the patient experience and reduce costs . ‘ The need for Hospital-at-Home is not only because of the cost of hospital care but a shortage of beds , nursing staff and other healthcare professionals , particularly in the public sector .
‘ Bonitas is constantly looking for ways in which to minimise contributions and add value for members . It is common knowledge that hospitalisation costs are the main cost driver for all medical schemes . Even with 24-hour professional care at home the costs are far less than a hospital . Most medical aids will pay for nursing care at home .’
For this reason , Bonitas ’ partnered with Quro Medical , an innovative South African digital health company , to provide patients with active treatment by healthcare practitioners at home .
The technology-enabled Hospital-at-Home service brings all the essential elements of in-hospital care to a patient ’ s home , without moving away from evidence-based protocols and state-of-the-art vital sign monitoring . Patients are monitored wirelessly , automatically and continuously to enable early identification of significant clinical change or deterioration .
In fact , research has shown that , ‘ patients admitted in the home programme were less likely to return to the hospital within 30 days of their discharge ’.
‘ The partnership also offers earlier and safer relocation to the home ,’ says Dr Mkhatshwa . Hospital-at-Home is offered to all members , subject to pre-authorisation and Managed Care protocols .
‘ It ’ s important to note that the treating doctor remains at the centre of the patient ’ s care . While patients who are medically stable may qualify for home-based care , everyone is different and the response to hospitalisation and / or surgery differs . This means each request has to be reviewed carefully to ensure we provide quality care to deliver the best possible health outcome for the patient .’
The advantages Hospital-at-Home Hospital-at-Home , in a comfortable environment , improves patient participation in treatment . Having family members and loved ones participating in the care of a loved one – such as helping with bathing , feeding - makes a significant difference in the outcome .
“ Hospital-at-Home enables some patients , who need acute-level care , to receive care in their homes .“
Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 4 | 2021
17