Hackensack Woman Gets Hospital Treatment in Her Home
July 17, 2024
Denise Dixon, 71, lives with multiple medical challenges, so when her right leg became painfully swollen, she knew she needed medical help. She went to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with hypertensive urgency (a condition where blood pressure is elevated) and congestive heart failure.
While Denise—who lives in Hackensack, New Jersey—was grateful to be getting the care she needed, a week or more of inpatient care was staring her in the face. Then a nurse visited her on June 12, 2023, and asked her if she’d like to participate in Hackensack Meridian Health’s Hospital From Home program. Denise learned she was an ideal candidate for the program and could get the treatments she needed in the comfort of her own home. She was delighted to have the opportunity.
How Hospital From Home Began
The Hospital From Home program combines the best of hospital-level care with the comforts of home for patients with specific conditions that meet program criteria. The program, which was originally created through a Medicare waiver during the COVID pandemic, has since become available to qualified patients ages 18 and older at Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and JFK University Medical Center.
To qualify, a patient admitted to one of the three participating hospitals must undergo a comprehensive clinical assessment to confirm they meet a specific criteria, which includes their diagnosis, type of care they need and their living situation.
The concept of providing more care in the home has been gaining acceptance and preference from patients in recent years but the COVID-19 pandemic, which filled hospitals to capacity with critically ill patients, created a national imperative for medical providers to find ways to offer hospital-quality care in patients’ homes.
Denise’s Typical Day With Hospital From Home
The day after Denise’s nurse approached her about Hospital From Home, she was discharged from the hospital, transferred home and began the program in the comfort of her living room. Here’s how her daily routine would go:
- She would begin her day with a telemedicine appointment with her doctor using a tablet provided by the hospital. Much like when a doctor visits a patient in the hospital, they would discuss how she is doing, reports from her nurses and medical tests.
- At about 8:30 a.m.—and again at 4:30 p.m.—her nurse practitioner, Shannon Byrne, would arrive at her door for her twice-daily visits and examine her, just as if she were in a hospital.
- Denise’s blood pressure was taken, and blood tests were performed.
- If she needed them, Denise might receive IV fluids. She was especially delighted to find that lab work and even X-rays were done with equipment all brought to her home.
- Each day, Shannon would bring Denise’s medications and insulin needles in a lockbox and ensure Denise received them.
“It’s not that I enjoyed being sick, but the experience was very uplifting and comfortable with me being able to be home,” Denise says. “I had more comfort here. I could watch my own television, sleep in my comfortable bed, people could call me and friends could come by.”
Meeting All Patients’ Needs
In addition to medical care, Hospital From Home also provides additional support for patients based on their specific needs. For Denise, that meant that every day, three meals were delivered to her home, each customized to provide maximum nutrition while addressing her dietary needs specific to her diabetes and hypertension.
While Denise was able to move around on her own, less mobile patients may qualify for durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, bathing equipment, oxygen and even a hospital bed to be brought to their homes.
Depending on patients’ individual needs, they may also receive physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as social worker support. Their care team will also collaborate with hospital specialists as necessary. The program is currently only available to patients already admitted to one of the three Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals offering the program.
“Hospital From Home enabled Denise, like my other patients, to receive the comprehensive care and services they would receive in the hospital while being treated in the comfort of her own home,” Shannon says. “We are available to our patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just like in the hospital.”
On June 18, Denise was discharged from home care in stable condition and with an updated medication regimen. Today, she is feeling great and living her best life. She loves to get out in the sun, play golf, exercise at her gym and visit the park to enjoy watching the people and animals.
Next Steps & Resources
- Learn more about Hospital From Home
- Watch Denise tell her story
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
