UF Health Shands Hospital Introduces UF Health Hospital at Home

According to a Nov. 14 press release, UF Health Hospital at Home launched on Nov. 13 through UF Health Shands Hospital. The program is designed to allow patients deemed safe to be treated in a home setting to receive care.

The press release said, “Inpatient care carries a host of benefits typically associated with being inside a hospital. Round-the-clock care, the watchful eye of a physician, and the assurance that you’re being well taken care of.”

Further, “The key advantage of the program is its capability to provide high-level, hospital-grade care at home,” said Irene Alexaitis, D.N.P., R.N., UF Health Shands Hospital chief nursing officer. “It will also free up bedspace for patients who cannot be safely cared for at their own home.”

The program, according to the press release, will be implemented across the UF Health Shands Hospital system.

The press release added, “Patients receive at least two visits a day from a UF Health nurse, and other providers when needed. In addition, patients are monitored by their virtual care team from afar, who can see and talk to them via video on a tablet provided by the program. The patient is fitted with wearable continuous monitoring devices that monitor vital signs continuously, allowing the care team to watch for changes and intervene, if needed.”

The patient’s primary care provider will be apprised of any changes to their condition.