Madison, Wis.-based UW Health has launched a “hospital-at-home” program that will initially serve up to four patients at a time but that could care for 300 people a year starting in 2024, per Becker’s.
The initiative, which started in July, is available to patients who enter the emergency room at either University Hospital or East Madison Hospital, both in Madison. Physicians and nurses, aided by an EHR software tool, identify patients who might be candidates.
Medical transport takes the patients home, assessing it for safety and setting them up with medical equipment such as IV pumps or oxygen tanks. Each patient gets a tablet that gives instantaneous video access to the care team and a smartwatch that can immediately alert a nurse. A physician visits the patient’s home at least once a day, while nurses stop by a minimum of twice daily. Specialty care can be provided via video. Read more.
