Hospital-Level Care at Home

Covenant Health Delivers Advanced Care in a Home Environment

Imagine receiving all the treatment you’d expect in a hospital, but instead of being confined to a hospital bed, you’re in the comfort of your own home. Covenant Health Advanced Care at Home (ACH) is specially designed to deliver temporary hospital-level care in the places where patients live.

Stacey Jenkins, RN, sometimes refers to it as a “housepital.” That’s because Advanced Care at Home provides everything a patient needs for a hospital stay, brought to the home.

“This is your care on your schedule,” Jenkins says. “You get to be with your family and pets. You sleep in your own bed at night without alarms and voices lingering all night long.”  

ACH brings doctors, nurses, paramedics, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, specialists and even radiology services straight to your door.

Virtual Technology and In-Person Visits Provide 24/7 Care

Evelyn Fortson hesitated to receive care at home instead of in a hospital after she fell and fractured her back. Family members convinced her to give ACH a try. The experience was a win for everyone involved.

Along with medical equipment, the ACH team installed a temporary virtual care system so Fortson could connect with a doctor or nurse any time of day or night.  Her daughter, Joslyn Johnson, says it was as easy as picking up a phone to make a call.

“After she learned which buttons to tap on, it was just a breeze for her,” Johnson says.

Meanwhile, Johnson was able to connect with her mother’s care team as often as needed, through in-home visits or by phone or video conference.

“It was very flexible, the timing, the scheduling,” she says. “As the days progressed, I didn’t have to be there because I trusted them.”

The trust and flexibility allowed Johnson to maintain a balance between her work and personal responsibilities and her mother’s care. Jenkins says that’s often a challenge when a loved one is hospitalized.

“Being a nurse for 17 years, I have watched so many family members struggle with life-work-hospital balance. They want to be there, but let’s face it, life doesn’t stop when someone gets hospitalized,” she says. “I love the benefits Advanced Care at Home provides those loved ones.”

The program’s constant and open communication cuts down on the stress and exhaustion family members often face. “Communication is our strength,” Jenkins says.

There’s No Place Like Home for Hospital-Level Care

One of the most significant benefits of Advanced Care at Home is the reduction of risks associated with prolonged hospital stays. Jenkins says ACH has been shown to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired delirium, infections and falls while also improving outcomes and patient satisfaction.

“This is your care on your schedule,” she says, emphasizing the personalized ACH approach to each patient’s unique needs.

The combination of ongoing virtual communication with medical personnel and an in-person visit for an IV met Fortson’s needs promptly. Johnson says one of the greatest benefits of the program was that her mother was never alone.

“You’re getting individual care. It was so much more convenient all the way around for the patient and the family caring for her,” Johnson says about her mother’s experience. “I think it’s a great opportunity.”

By bringing the hospital to the home, ACH offers comfort, convenience and personalized attention alongside the best possible care in a place where patients feel most at ease.

Learn More About Advanced Care at Home

Advanced Care at Home may be available for patients who have specific illnesses or medical conditions that typically require care in a hospital. It’s available at several participating Covenant Health hospitals for patients whose conditions qualify.

If you or a loved one are hospitalized, ask about Advanced Care at Home. You can also visit the ACH web page for more information and a list of frequently asked questions.