At Kent Hospital at Home, home is where you make it — even when it’s a boat

The Kent Hospital at Home (HaH) care team, based in Warwick, R.I., visits the homes of qualifying patients, whether they live in a house, apartment, skilled nursing facility — or even a boat.

That’s how the team provided care to one such patient, Russell, who was recovering from surgery on an infected finger. The HaH team visited Russell on the boat where he and his wife have chosen to live for nearly a decade.

“I was able to recover at home, which was a huge difference, sleeping in my own bed and eating my own food,” Russell said. “[The care team] saved my finger.”

Most HaH participants receive a minimum of two nursing visits and one physician visit per day. While most visits are in person, telehealth options are available. The care team provides treatments like IV medications, oxygen, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy and specialist consults in the comfort of a patient’s own home. The team — composed of a registered nurse; physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner; and community paramedic — keeps in contact with each patient’s primary care provider.

Kent Hospital at Home also offers 24/7 remote patient monitoring, via a noninvasive, lightweight bio-patch. And patients have access to 24/7 clinical supports; by pressing a button, they can reach their nurse or physician. In addition, a social worker helps coordinate post-discharge follow-up care for patients, including doctor’s appointments.

HaH programs have proved to be safe and effective, with improved patient outcomes. Feedback from patients and family members has been positive.

See Russell’s story here and visit the Kent Hospital at Home webpage to learn more.