Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) is helping patients stay at home while receiving hospital standard clinical care through its new model of care, Hospital in the Home (HITH).
HITH launched in July 2022, allowing suitable patients to receive high quality, acute care from the comfort of their own homes while freeing up hospital beds for others.
Patients are admitted into the system by a medical officer and receive daily clinical care and support in their homes both face to face and virtually until they are well enough to be discharged from care.
Providing this option for patients who are suitable to be treated at home saves the patient an unnecessary stay in hospital and makes sure we have beds available for patients who need to be in hospital for their care, HITH Program Manager Emma Hornsby said.
“Some of the benefits of HITH include the ability for patients to remain in the comfort of their own home; eating their own food and sleeping in their own bed, having visitors at any time rather than following the hospital schedule, she said.
To date, more than 55 patients have received care through HITH and have been overwhelmingly happy.
Stephen Norcross of Kariong was one of the first patients admitted through the HITH model.
Mr Norcross received treatment for a severely infected finger that had spread to his tendon and bone and would usually require a lengthy stay in hospital.
“I was anxious about being in hospital for a long time because I had no one to care for my dogs, said Mr Norcross.
“Before I knew about Hospital in the Home, I seriously considered asking the surgeon to amputate my finger so I could get home to look after them.
HITH allowed Mr Norcross to receive high-dose antibiotics and specialised wound dressings in his home so he could continue to care for his pets, while still receiving the hospital treatment he needed.
HITH allowed Mr Norcross to receive high-dose antibiotics and specialised wound dressings in his home so he could continue to care for his pets, while still receiving the hospital treatment he needed.
HITH is one of a number of models of care available through our Central Coast Health @HomeProgram which also includes the COVID Community Support Team and Virtual Care.
Verified source: Media release Central Coast Local Health District, September 26, 2022