Most health systems and hospitals offer some type of care at home, but these programs need robust technology and support, in addition to financial reimbursement, to deliver care at scale, according to a report from Current Health analyzing the trends, challenges and opportunities for driving adoption of care-at-home programs. 

According to the survey results from leaders at hospitals and health systems, the majority of health care organizations have begun moving care outside bricks-and-mortar facilities, offering digitally enabled care-at-home programs across the acuity spectrum. These programs can improve patient experiences and outcomes, with survey respondents indicating the primary benefits of care-at-home programs include decreased readmissions (69 percent), decreased hospitalizations (60 percent) and decreased emergency room visits (59 percent). 

While many hospitals and health systems have reported significant value from care-at-home models, others face operational and financial hurdles when it comes to implementing and expanding these types of programs.

As health care organizations face continued staffing shortages, high costs of care, and reduced revenue, care-at-home programs present an opportunity for health systems to deliver cost-effective, quality care at scale, while meeting patients where they are and offering exhausted clinicians a new way to practice. To learn more about this evolving market as well as the opportunities and challenges facing care-at-home programs, Current Health surveyed more than 100 primarily C-suite hospital and health system leaders during September 2022.

Key findings from the report include:

● The clinical benefits are clear, but staffing is a top concern for organizations looking to implement a care-at-home program.

● Technology is essential to care-at-home programs—but it must be embraced for programs to be successful.

● To ensure care-at-home programs solve for, rather than exacerbate ongoing challenges like staffing issues, health systems must identify solutions that fit seamlessly into clinician workflows and provide sufficient support.

Read the report here.