Hospital at Home

Hospital care from the comfort of home

If you need hospital-level care but wish to recover at home, Advocate Health Care is here for you. With our Hospital at Home program, we bring high-quality acute care for serious health conditions right to your doorstep, so you can heal safely in the comfort of your own home.

What’s acute care at home?

Offered to eligible patients needing short-term hospital care, Hospital at Home combines video visits, remote monitoring technology and in-person visits to bring care to you. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or an illness, your dedicated care team will watch your health closely – including your vitals, medications, imaging and labs – and be available 24/7 if your needs change.

Currently, Hospital at Home is offered at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. Your provider and care team will talk with you about whether you qualify and if Hospital at Home is right for you.

Hospital at Home services

Though everyone’s needs are different, our Hospital at Home specialists offer the below services:

• Hospital-level care for people ages 18 and older
• 24-hour monitoring of your heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen levels
• A 24-hour comprehensive care team, including an on-call doctor and nurse, who treat and monitor you virtually using telehealth
• In-person visits from a paramedic team, who can place IVs, take vitals and listen to your heart and lungs
• Complete coordination of care, including daily care plans, appointments and referrals
• Food, supplies and other care necessities delivered to your home, just as they would be delivered to your room in the hospital
• Easy, immediate connection to emergency care and emergency services if needed
• Access to translation services

What’s a Hospital at Home comprehensive care team?

Your Hospital at Home care team will include a:

• Navigator: Your navigator has extensive experience and training in both bedside nursing and Hospital at Home. They help coordinate your care every step of the way.
• Hospitalist: A hospitalist is a doctor who cares for patients receiving hospital-level care. They’ll help coordinate all of your needs virtually, from care management to discharge planning, and stay in close contact with your care team.
• Paramedic team: While most of your care is done virtually, you'll receive in-person visits from a certified paramedic team. This team checks vitals, delivers medical equipment and inserts IVs if needed, and works closely with your home health care team.
• Nurse: In addition to a hospitalist, you'll have a nurse available 24/7. They’ll monitor your vitals virtually and stand ready to address any concerns that come up.
• Social worker: A social worker supports you and your family and guides you to any patient support resources you may need.

As an Advocate Health Care patient, you’ll also have seamless access to our extensive network of specialists and integrated services, including our pharmacy and physical, speech and occupational therapists.

What to expect from Hospital at Home

Admission to the program

During admission, you’ll meet with a trained navigator. They’ll help you understand the program, complete a few screenings and answer any questions you may have.

When you’re ready, we’ll transport you home safely. Members of our team will set up the simple technology needed for your care and teach you how to use it. This includes a wireless monitor and a screen that shows important day-to-day details about your care. Your safety is our top priority, which is why all technology is controlled by you and includes special features to protect your health information.

If you have a caregiver at home with you, our Hospital at Home team will also take the time to help educate and support them so they can support you with confidence.

Virtual and in-person care at home

Our team will organize all your care, including your daily care plan, medications, appointments and referrals to subspecialists if needed.

In addition to video visits with Advocate Health Care doctors and nurses, you'll receive in-person visits from certified paramedics. They’ll come to your home at least twice daily to give your medications and check your vital signs. For your safety and convenience, our paramedic team will always wear uniforms with badges and have set appointment times, so there are no surprise visits.

Discharge and continued support

Once you feel better and are discharged from our care, we’ll follow up with your provider and stay in close touch. We’ll remain available to coordinate additional appointments or care as needed, including finding a dedicated provider for your continued care.