Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest health network, has bolstered patient access to care with the expansion of Hospital From Home, a program that provides hospital-level care to patients from the comfort of their home.
Hospital From Home care will now be offered to patients who qualify through Ocean University Medical Center in Brick and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford Township.
The latest sites build on the network’s existing Hospital From Home program offered through Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, JFK University Medical Center in Edison, and Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey.
As America’s population ages and the burden of chronic conditions rises, demand for flexible, home-based models has increased. These programs are part of a nationwide movement to not only improve the patient experience but to reduce hospital overcrowding and bed shortages, issues that will become more acute as Baby Boomers age.
Patients like these programs, however, they must meet certain criteria. Generally, they may have to live within 30 minutes of the hospital, in case of emergencies, and they have to have running water, heat, air conditioning, and electricity in their home.
Home hospital care is one of the fastest-growing modes of care, delivered through a hybrid model of virtual and in-person visits. Through Hospital From Home, patients are monitored virtually through a clinically integrated, physician-led virtual command center, which operates 24 hours a day to ensure seamless patient care alongside in-person nurse visits. Services and treatments include IV antibiotics, infusions, medication management, laboratory services, physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy and imaging in a patient’s home. Meals and nutritional consultations are also available.
Clinical studies have shown home hospitalization improves patient outcomes, increases patient and clinician satisfaction, saves money, reduces mortality, and lowers the risk of readmissions.
Hospital From Home launched in late April 2024 after a 2022 pilot at JFK University Medical Center. Hospital From Home has cared for more than 1,000 patients from its sites at Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and JFK University Medical Center. The network has plans to expand it to all hospitals across the health system.
Hackensack Meridian’s Hospital From Home program is enabled through a partnership with Medically Home, a DispatchHealth company. Medically Home collaborates with Hackensack Meridian Health as an operating partner, providing command center services, logistics, and technology needed to deliver hospital-level care in the home.
“Hospital care in the home creates an important new access point for patients while offering unique benefits for both patients and providers,” said Pippa Shulman, chief medical officer, DispatchHealth. “Having visibility into care delivery in the home environment enhances clinical insight, supports stronger care coordination, and leads to better outcomes.”
