MO Health System Expands At-Home Hospital to Treat More Patients

Saint Luke’s Health System aims to increase the number of patients treated through its at-home hospital program by expanding it to include patients seeking care at Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City and Saint Luke’s North Hospital.

Saint Luke’s Health System is a faith-based, nonprofit organization, including 14 hospitals and campuses and over 200 primary care and specialty clinics. Its services are primarily offered through 65 specialty services throughout 67 counties in Missouri and Kansas.

Originally launched at Saint Luke’s East Hospital in July 2022, Saint Luke’s Health System's at-home hospital program employs a hybrid care model. It leverages virtual technology and in-person care to treat congestive heart failure, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The program was launched through a collaboration between Saint Luke’s and a virtual healthcare company known as Medically Home. 

Since the program began, it has exceeded its admissions goals and received high patient satisfaction scores, the press release noted. Thus, the health system decided to expand the at-home hospital program to care for more patients in the state and maintain high levels of patient satisfaction.

“Hospital in Your Home’s rapid expansion to Saint Luke’s Hospital and Saint Luke’s North is a testament to the excellent quality outcomes and patient satisfaction we have seen thus far,” said Michael Nassif, MD, cardiologist and medical director of Saint Luke’s Hospital In Your Home, in a press release. “These patients are less likely to acquire an infection, require skilled nursing or rehab after discharge, and be re-admitted to the hospital. This program has been and will continue to greatly benefit the community.”

The program operates through a 24/7 medical command center. Comprised of physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers (APPs), and technology support specialists, the medical command center team aims to support patients through virtual checkups, at-home monitoring, and initiating emergency response when needed.

“Healthcare technology is advancing rapidly, bringing exciting new opportunities to improve care for our patients,” said Debe Gash, Saint Luke’s Health System's senior vice president and chief digital officer, in a press release. “Hospital In Your Home allows us to bring an innovative care option to patients that would have been impossible to imagine only a few years ago. By leveraging the latest and most advanced digital tools and technologies, we are able to provide patients with real-time monitoring and immediate access to their highly skilled care team while remaining where they feel the most comfortable, in their own home.”

Similarly, to improve patient outcomes and experience, Augusta University Health announced in February that it is working with Biofourmis to expand its Virtual Care at Home program.

Research shows various benefits associated with hospital-at-home care models, which include lower readmission and death risks.

Through the collaboration, Augusta University Health and Biofourmis aim to improve throughput within the emergency department and the inpatient setting, as well as limit hospital readmission, boost clinical outcomes, and improve patient experiences. To achieve its goals, the health system will leverage Biofourmis' artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solution that collects and analyzes patient data in real time.