Texas Provider Aims to Improve Patient Access with At-Home Care Program

Known as Texas Health Care at Home, a new at-home acute care program established by Texas Health Resources aims to improve patient access and care quality for those with heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, cellulitis, soft tissue infections, and other conditions.

Recognizing the need for improvements in healthcare access, many providers are working to implement virtual care methods. Located in Arlington, Texas Health Resources has created an at-home care program with the goal of reducing readmissions to emergency departments while ensuring that patients are healing emotionally as well, according to the press release.

Providing care for 16 Texas counties and over 7 million people, Texas Health Resources is a faith-based health system.

"Texas Health is embracing innovation and meeting consumers where and when they need us," said Barclay Berdan, CEO of Texas Health Resources, in a press release. "Texas Health Care at Home is the latest example of how we are working to improve the care and well-being of all of our patients, on their terms. As advancements in technology transform the healthcare industry, we are evolving to care for North Texans today and in the future."

Staffed with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and service coordinators, the new at-home care program will provide virtual assessments for patients daily, along with in-person visits when necessary. The program will also leverage continuous remote patient monitoring (RPM).

The program will treat a wide range of conditions, from heart failure to COVID-19. The extent and type of in-home visits will depend on patient needs.

"We are partnering with consumers to provide a lifetime of health and well-being, and that means thinking beyond traditional healthcare models," said Kathi Cox, the Ambulatory and Virtual Channel chief operating officer for Texas Health Resources, in the press release. "We are adapting to new models of care to support patients wherever they are."

Although the program will initially only serve patients seeking care at the emergency department at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth, the health system plans to expand the program to other facilities.

Recently, the creation of at-home programs has become a prominent trend in the healthcare industry. 

In July, Tampa General Hospital created an at-home program to promote patient comfort by allowing them to remain in their homes while using technology to enable remote monitoring and virtual communication.

In June, Texas-based Memorial Hermann Health System announced that it was working with Contessa to add an at-home care option. The program will provide inpatient, rehabilitative, and palliative care in patients' homes.