Connected Health Collaborative Empowers Hospital-at-Home Programs with New Resources

Advancing Hospital-at-Home Programs

The Connected Health Collaborative Community (CHcc) recently unveiled its inaugural set of open-source resources aimed at propelling the implementation and scalability of hospital-at-home (HaH) programs. This innovative initiative was co-hosted by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), with support from the UMass Chan Medical School’s Program in Digital Medicine as the founding Impact Sponsor.

Understanding Hospital-at-Home

HaH is a transformative model that has proven to enhance patient outcomes while simultaneously optimizing healthcare system efficiency and reducing costs. Patients receiving hospital-level care at home enjoy faster recovery times, a decrease in complications, and an overall increase in comfort. On the flip side, healthcare facilities benefit from alleviated bed shortages, thereby mitigating stress on the system. However, ongoing concerns related to policy frameworks and payment structures pose challenges to the long-term sustainability of these programs.

Benjamin Vandendriessche, Chief Delivery Officer at DiMe, articulated the critical role of HaH in times of economic uncertainty. He noted, "Hospital-at-home programs offer a lifeline to maintain access to essential services while delivering high-quality care at a reduced cost compared to traditional hospitalizations. This not only preserves vital health services but also upholds patient care, supports healthcare workers, and ensures that communities receive necessary care."

New Resource Toolkit

In response to the prevalent uncertainty, the CHcc has developed actionable, complimentary tools designed to facilitate the transition of HaH initiatives from temporary solutions to enduring, reliable models. The toolkit includes:
1. Patient Journey Map: This resource outlines the complete patient experience in HaH, detailing clinical services, workflows, and technological integration.
2. Technical & Operational Considerations: A guide for effectively managing the infrastructure essential for seamless and secure scaling of HaH programs.
3. Program Evaluation and Reimbursement Pathways: Assists users in identifying key performance metrics, validating ROI, and exploring sustainable reimbursement models, including value-based care options.
4. Pillars of Successful Implementation: Pinpoints five crucial elements necessary for the successful rollout of HaH initiatives, backed by case studies addressing implementation hurdles.

Dr. Sarah Schenck, Executive Director for ChristianaCare's Center for Virtual Health, shared her insights: "In our rapidly changing healthcare landscape, HaH programs present a revolutionary method to deliver superior care in the comfort of patients’ homes. Free access to these expert-crafted resources is invaluable for building scalable, compliant, and patient-centered programs."

The Broader Context

The efforts surrounding HaH are part of a larger trend aimed at enhancing connected care delivery to patients in their preferred settings. According to a recent report by the AARP and CTA, a staggering 89% of Americans aged 50 and above favor aging in place—safely and independently at home. Yet, barriers tied to affordability, safety, and access to care must be addressed.

The CHcc aims to unite industry leaders to forge a more intelligent, interconnected ecosystem that empowers older adults to choose their place of aging while remaining secure and independent.

About CHcc and DiMe

The CHcc operates in collaboration with the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health and is co-hosted by DiMe and CTA. Together, these organizations pull together a diverse array of stakeholders spanning consumer electronics, medical devices, and governmental sectors to combat fragmentation in the healthcare system. By leveraging digitally-enabled products and services, they aspire to bridge gaps in connected health and transition from reactive sick care to proactive whole health care.

In conclusion, the new resources provided by the Connected Health Collaborative Community mark a significant step forward in making hospital-at-home programs a sustainable and integral aspect of modern healthcare delivery, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare providers alike.