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Health & Wellness: Kent Hospital at Home
AS A MEANS TO EXPAND health care, Kent County Memorial Hospital developed an initiative to bring hospital treatment to one’s home, and named the program as such.
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Kent Hospital at Home combines house calls with technology to provide patients hospital-level acute care at home. The first of its kind in the state, the program launched in January 2022 after receiving approval by the R.I. Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
KHAH, according to Program Director Melissa Frias, is a 10-bed “virtual” inpatient unit of Kent Hospital for patients who are medically stable but require close monitoring. Patients with urinary tract infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, cellulitis and pneumonia are treated through this initiative.
Patients receive one physician visit and two residential nurse visits each day, as well as 24/7 access to EMT cardiacs. KHAH provides oxygen, intravenous therapy, medication, food from the hospital’s dietary services, hospital beds and other needed equipment. Remote monitoring technology tracks patients’ vital signs 24/7 and alerts the team if they fall. A 4G tablet enables patients and physicians to message or meet remotely anytime. Also, physicians can use the tablet to communicate with specialists while the patient is at their side.
Although KHAH is for adults ages 18 and older, the average age of its patients is 72, Frias said, and the average length of stay is 3.5 days. To help prevent readmission, discharge planning is provided.
KHAH frees up 4.5 beds each day at the hospital, Frias said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program helped ease hospital overcrowding. But it also provides a sanctuary for geriatric patients prone to hospital delirium. In familiar surroundings, with no visiting-hour restrictions, risk of hospital-acquired infection or separation from beloved pets, patients are less likely to develop delirium.
To date, KHAH has treated more than 250 patients and received 100% patient satisfaction ratings. In January, the RIDOH opened up KHAH’s services to the entire state.
“There will always be a place for a traditional brick-and-mortar hospital,” Frias said. “But for many patients, this will be the right choice.”
