Idaho鈥檚 First Hospital-at-Home Program Showing Promising Results
The St. Luke鈥檚 Hospital at Home program, launched in late 2024, provides hospital-level care to patients in the comfort of their homes. This initiative is especially timely given Idaho's rapid population growth, which has increased the demand for health care services. The program allows patients with conditions such as heart failure, infections requiring IV antibiotics, pneumonia or asthma to receive necessary treatments at home, reducing the strain on emergency departments.
Patients in the program are equipped with medical devices like scales, tablets, blood pressure monitors and IV pumps. Paramedics visit patients twice daily and are connected to doctors and nurses through a tablet, ensuring continuous care. This setup not only provides medical support but also allows health care providers to understand the patient's living environment and involve social work if needed, enhancing overall care
The program is supported by Medically Home and offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional hospital stays. St. Luke鈥檚 is the first hospital in Idaho to start the program, which has been around since the 1960s. 鈥淲e have a type of care that is very comparable to the outcomes of a brick-and-mortar hospital,鈥 said the program鈥檚 Medical Director Adam Balinger.
It also provides a healing environment where patients can be with their families and pets, which can aid in recovery. With Medicare authorizing billing for hospital care at home since 2021, programs like St. Luke鈥檚 Hospital at Home are becoming more viable and beneficial, especially during times when hospitals are overwhelmed, such as during the pandemic.