The My Home Hospital service, a joint venture between healthcare organisation Calvary and Medibank's Amplar Health, has facilitated acute hospital-level care for 10,000 patients within the confines of their residences, encompassing residential aged care and disability-supported facilities.
My Home Hospital is a South Australian health service that caters to patients in metropolitan Adelaide and surrounding regions, including Gawler, Mount Barker, and the Southern Fleurieu.
Sarah McRae, CEO of the Calvary Amplar Health Joint Venture, noted the significance of virtual hospitals in Australia's healthcare future.
“Virtual hospitals are the future of healthcare in Australia, providing relief to the stretched health system and delivering appropriate care where a patient is most comfortable,” she said.
Since its initiation in January 2021, the My Home Hospital service – overseen by doctors, nurses, and allied health practitioners – has extended hospital-level care to patients with specific conditions, diverting them away from metropolitan hospitals.
Eligible patients – referred by medical professionals such as GPs, nurse practitioners, SA Virtual Care Service, SA Ambulance Service, or hospital emergency departments (ED) – benefit from daily visits by highly skilled nurses and continuous monitoring through home health technology, ensuring round-the-clock virtual care.
The service operates 24/7, accepting referrals for various clinical conditions and providing support services like x-rays, blood tests, and medication management without necessitating a physical hospital visit. Conditions covered include infections requiring intravenous antibiotics, exacerbation of respiratory conditions, heart failure, post-operative care, gastrointestinal conditions, and others deemed safe and appropriate for in-home care.
Last year, the joint venture became one of the first standalone virtual hospitals delivering acute care to be nationally credited.
Jeanette Walters, executive director integrated care systems at Medibank, emphasised the benefits of receiving care in familiar surroundings, praising the ease of use of home health technology.
“My Home Hospital uses home health technology that is easy to use. It allows our nurses and doctors to stay in touch with the patient at any time and to review their pulse, temperature, and blood pressure as soon as the patient takes them,” she said. “I congratulate the My Home Hospital team on this milestone and am proud of the choice it offers to South Australians who are suitable to receive their care at home.”
Over the past year, My Home Hospital has provided 19,000 bed days at home, boasting high patient satisfaction rates and substantially lower hospital-acquired complication rates compared to traditional hospitals.
“We are proud to deliver My Home Hospital on behalf of the South Australian government – which is leading the way in virtual hospital delivery in this country,” McRae said.
In other news, Medibank reported more than four million health insurance members in its 2023 full-year report.
