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BAYADA’s Pioneering HICU® for Infants and Children

BAYADA Home Health Care has unveiled its innovative Home Intensive Care Unit (HICU®), a significant advancement in home healthcare for infants and children with complex medical needs. This revolutionary program aims to reduce healthcare costs while improving the quality of life for patients and their families. By creating a unique model of care that allows medically fragile children to transition from hospital to home safely, BAYADA is setting new standards in pediatric healthcare delivery.

Addressing a Critical Need

In the realm of neonatal and pediatric care, the challenges of transitioning medically fragile infants and children from hospital settings back to their homes have been profound. Often, families face delays in discharge due to a lack of specialized at-home support services, exacerbating pressure on both healthcare systems and families. This can lead to unnecessary hospital days, a shortage of NICU/PICU beds, and increased costs for health systems and families alike.

Andrea Smith, whose son Drew was born extremely premature and spent nine months in the hospital, experienced this first-hand. With the introduction of the HICU program, however, families like Andrea's can now access comprehensive care that enables them to bring their children home earlier, with robust support in place.

A New Era in Pediatric Step-Down Care

Working closely with top pediatric hospitals, BAYADA has crafted the HICU program to facilitate timely and safe transitions from intensive care units to the home environment. The HICU is designed specifically for children needing ongoing care, including those relying on ventilators or feeding tubes.

"The HICU program is our answer to long-standing challenges families have faced in finding specialized home care for their children, especially during critical transitions," says Cris Toscano, BAYADA’s Practice President of Skilled Nursing. "It’s a sophisticated step-down care solution that not only brings children home safely but also alleviates the stress families experience during this transition."

Bridging the Gap

The HICU program acts as a crucial bridge, ensuring that families can receive the right care at home, tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. The service includes:

• - 24/7 pediatric nursing care upon discharge, ensuring a smooth and secure transition back home.
• - Comprehensive training and support for families, empowering them to care for their loved ones confidently.
• - Coordinated care that involves hospital teams to maintain continuity of treatment plans and anticipate future needs.

This holistic approach has proven to lead to lower readmission rates, faster developmental progress for pediatric patients, and greater family bonding time.

Real Stories, Real Impact

Smith describes how the HICU nurses transformed her family’s experience. "The support we received was life-changing. The nurses educated me that Drew is a child first and a patient second, helping me understand his needs better. They not only allowed me to return to work and get some rest but also ensured that my son was safe at home."

Moreover, the HICU team recognized and addressed a critical medical issue for Drew that might have led to readmission had it gone unnoticed. Smith praises the team's vigilance for keeping her child safe at home, emphasizing that they have not had to return to the hospital since receiving HICU care.

Proven Success and Future Expansion

BAYADA reports successful outcomes from its initial HICU services, including:

• - 78 children safely transitioned home.
• - 6,038 hospital days avoided.
• - A 25% reduction in hospital readmission rates.
• - An average of $250,000 saved per patient annually.

With plans to expand beyond Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania, BAYADA is redefining the potential for high-acuity pediatric care at home. As BAYADA CEO David Baiada articulates, "We’ve always believed that children belong at home. With HICU, we’re demonstrating that even intensive care can be effectively managed in a home environment."

About BAYADA Home Health Care

Founded in 1975, BAYADA Home Health Care is a premier independent nonprofit provider of home-based care that spans across 22 states in the U.S. and five countries. By providing personalized nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, hospice, and personal care services, BAYADA aims to deliver compassionate care and support that allows individuals to thrive in their preferred environment – at home.

This innovative HICU service not only represents a step forward in pediatric healthcare but also reflects BAYADA's ongoing commitment to improving the health and well-being of the families they serve.