New data by PA Consulting Group shows that healthcare providers have the necessary tools and belief in hospital-at-home services to save patients time and money. While virtual care services were created as a temporary substitute for in-person care, they have provided new levels of patient support and access to care. The FAIR Health Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker reported that telehealth uses increased nationally and in all US Census regions in January. The move towards hospital-at-home services has gained momentum, and healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of such services.
The healthcare industry has seen a significant transformation in recent times, with the growth of hospital-at-home services indicating a shift in the way healthcare services are delivered. According to new data provided by PA Consulting Group, healthcare providers now have the necessary tools to transition to hospital-at-home services, and they also believe that these services will save patients time and money.
Virtual care services, which existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, grew dramatically during the public health emergency. While many intended for these tools to be a temporary substitute for in-person care, they provided new levels of patient support and care access. The FAIR Health Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker reports that telehealth use increased nationally and in all US Census regions in January. Although there were variations in telehealth type and treated specialties, this data highlights the ongoing high usage of virtual care.
PA Consulting’s Healthier at Home report shows a similar trend for hospital-at-home services. For the report, consultants surveyed 550 leaders across MedTech, pharma, and private and public healthcare. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 35 percent of respondents noted that their organization provided at-home care solutions for patients. However, this share is now 43 percent.
PA Consulting Group indicated that home-based solutions could provide various benefits, such as lessened costs, lower pressure on health systems, improved care access, and enhanced patient quality of life. The report also provided details regarding the role of MedTech and pharma in this transition. Currently, 76 percent of global MedTech and pharma leaders aim to shift the site of care through products, and researchers expect a 25 percent growth in these products by 2027.
“The tremendous value of preventative care and early intervention is no hidden secret.” “As budgets shrink and demand for flexible, personalized care grows, healthcare, MedTech, and pharma leaders have an opportunity to build an ecosystem of care that benefits patients and providers,” said Vignesh Ramesh, a digital health expert at PA Consulting, in a press release. “Our research highlights the need for improving the patient experience, relieving pressure on the healthcare system, supporting health equity, and reducing costs—all of which can be done through the move from hospital to home.” “This report is a playbook to help hospital and healthcare providers, as well as MedTech and pharma leaders, succeed in the hospital-to-home revolution.”
The move towards hospital-at-home services has gained the interest of healthcare providers, and many are launching hospital-at-home programs. The hospital-at-home program established by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is one such initiative.
Christy Murdock, director of post-acute operations at the health system, provided details regarding the hospital-at-home program, along with the barriers to implementation and the patient benefits reaped. Patients received the model well, and the program also helped providers determine care gaps and supported the hospital in managing resources efficiently. However, some hurdles arose during the implementation process, including the need to create new clinical workflows to support the patient’s transition from hospital to home settings and vice versa. There were also challenges surrounding provider engagement and technology workflows.
To counter these difficulties, the hospital took steps such as providing education on the program to clinicians and patients and working with IT to improve and maintain the technology infrastructure.
The move towards hospital-at-home services is gaining momentum, and healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of such services. With advancements in technology and a greater focus on patient-centered care, hospital-at-home services are likely to become an integral part of the healthcare landscape. By transitioning to hospital-at-home services, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase patient satisfaction.
