Orlando (Fla.) Health's Hospital Care at Home has served 1,000 patients in Central Florida since launching 16 months ago and now is accepting participating commercial insurances.
The program launched in February 2023 and was the first in Central Florida to be approved for Medicare and Medicaid patients. To be eligible, a patient's home must be a safe environment located within the determined geographical catchment area in case emergency care is required.
Medical conditions that can be cared for safely in the home-based program include: cellulitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, urinary tract infection, heart failure, COVID-19, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, acute pancreatitis, multiple sclerosis flare-ups, sepsis and vasculitis.
Portable technology connects patients to Orlando Health's patient care hub for 24/7 remote monitoring and virtual care by nurses and providers. Patients receive daily in-person care from nurses, along with virtual provider and consultant visits. Mobile imaging, labs, dietary services and therapy are provided as ordered.
"We are incredibly proud that Hospital Care at Home has reached this milestone within 16 months since the program began serving patients throughout Central Florida communities," Linda Fitzpatrick, assistant vice president of Orlando Health Hospital Care at Home, said in a June 24 news release. "Our program will continue to grow as we strive to meet the evolving needs of the patients we serve."