First Care Solutions – in partnership with SHInc., ER Specialist Governance Inc. and Discovery Home Health – are combining expertise and advanced technology and delivering high-quality, personalised care for Discovery Health Medical Schemes members and members from selected schemes administered by Discovery Health.
Discovery Hospital at Home (H@H) is a groundbreaking healthcare model that transforms the patient care experience by delivering hospital-level care directly to patients in their own homes. This innovative approach offers a full range of medical services typically provided in a traditional hospital setting, including diagnostics, treatments and continuous monitoring, but within the comfort and familiarity of the patient’s home environment.
Key differences from traditional hospitalisation:
Location of care
Unlike traditional hospitalisation, where patients receive care in a hospital facility, H@H brings comprehensive medical care to the patient’s home.
Infection risk
H@H significantly reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections by keeping patients out of communal hospital environments.
Patient experience
Patients benefit from recovering in a comfortable and familiar setting, reducing emotional stress and enhancing well-being.
Monitoring and technology
H@H employs advanced remote monitoring technologies including wearable devices that track vital signs and provide real-time data to healthcare professionals.
Care team and services
A dedicated team of healthcare professionals including nurses, physicians and therapists delivers personalised care through home visits and remote consultations.
“Patients must meet specific criteria including medical stability and a suitable home environment, to qualify for H@H. H@H offers a more personalised, comfortable and technologically advanced alternative to traditional hospital care, focusing on patient convenience and safety in a home setting,” explains Dr Jessica Voerman, chief clinical officer at SHI Healthcare.
Suitability and advantages of H@H
H@H is ideal for medically stable patients with appropriate home environments and family support. The programme offers several key benefits, including reduced infection risk, enhanced comfort and convenience, improved mobility, reduced emotional stress, and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Advanced monitoring technologies
H@H utilises cutting-edge wearable devices, remote monitoring platforms and telehealth technologies to ensure continuous, real-time tracking of patient health. These technologies enable healthcare professionals to provide timely interventions and maintain seamless communication with patients.
24/7 virtual healthcare advantage
First Care Solutions’ virtual healthcare services and 24/7 emergency medicine doctors enhance the H@H programme by offering continuous medical support, rapid response to urgent issues, and improved co-ordination of care. This comprehensive approach ensures patients receive high-quality care in the safety and comfort of their homes.
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