A new method of treating patients at home by Philadelphia, PA-based Penn Medicine prevented 9 out 10 from returning to the hospital for care, according to a study of the Practical Alternative to Hospitalization (PATH) published in Healthcare.
Penn Medicine’s Center for Health Care Innovation designed a pilot program in 2018 to open capacity in emergency departments by sending patients home with the right resources and equipment to help them recover properly. The hospital screened patients visiting emergency departments based on vital signs, medical history and support systems. The most common conditions that resulted in home-based care included chest pain, heart failure and hyperglycemia.
Patients who were sent home received personalized support, including phone calls or text messages, to assess their status; coordinated outpatient appointments and additional diagnostic testing. The plan sometimes included home nursing visits, physical or occupational therapy, or transportation assistance.
The study concluded that alternative payment models that aim to reduce hospital utilization and cost should consider strengthening systems that monitor and coordinate care for patients following emergency department discharge.
