Positive Reception: Hospital at Home Program in Victoria, BC Receives Rave Reviews in Preliminary Evaluation

IALH Research Fellows Elizabeth Borycki and Andre Kushniruk (both from Health Information Science) and IALH Associate Member Taylor Hainstock as well as Island Health colleagues, hospitalists, and patient partners recently published preliminary findings from an evaluation of the Hospital at Home program implemented in Victoria, BC in November 2020. Hospital at Home models are patient-centred approaches that enable the provision of acute level care to be provided in an individual’s own home.

Of the 75 patients who participated in the evaluation, 90% self-identified as white, 57% were 70 years of age or older, 78% reported they had a caregiver at home who was able to assist them with their care needs, and 22% were considered “independent patients” as they did not have a caregiver. Of the 57 family caregivers who participated in the evaluation, 88% self-identified as white, 47% were 70 years of age or older, and 65% were the patient’s spouse.

Preliminary findings based on six months of feedback data from the patients and family caregivers indicated that the new program has been well received. For example:
• 100% of patients and 97% of family caregivers indicated they were “usually” or “always” able to reach a health care provider when they had a question or concern;
• 97% of patients and 93% of family caregivers indicated that health care providers “usually” or “always” arrived within the scheduled time for home visits;
• 99% of both patients and caregivers felt they were “usually” or “always” treated with courtesy, respect and compassion, and 100% of patients and caregivers indicated their homes, cultural values and practices were “usually” or “always” respected;
• 94% of independent patients indicated they felt comfortable and safe without a caregiver;
• 100% of patients and 95% of family caregivers had an overall positive experience with the program;
• 100% of patients and 96% of family caregivers stated they would recommend the program to friends and family; and
• 97% of patients and 96% of family caregivers indicated they would choose the program again if they were faced with the same situation.

When asked for recommendations for improving the program, over 62% of patients and caregivers indicated that “nothing needs to be improved.” Patients who recommended improvements commented on the need for more written information regarding medications and the need to discuss some aspects of post-discharge care, including when to resume usual activities. Family caregivers recommended improvements to their onboarding into the program as well as the provision of additional information regarding medications and post-discharge care.

To read the full article, go to https://pxjournal.org/journal/vol10/iss1/9/.