Harvey: Welcome to the GPTpodcast.com I'm Harvey and I have my co-host Brooks with me. This is our AI in Healthcare Series. Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating development in healthcare: hospital-at-home programs, we are not discussing AI today specifically but you can imagine will apply, so please as we are discussing dream about what AI can to do assist with this challenge, and specifically as it relates to privacy.
Harvey: So, Brooks you know how hospitals are usually the go-to place for acute care, right? Well, there's been a shift in recent years toward providing hospital-level care in the comfort of patients' homes. It's called "hospital-at-home," and it's really gaining traction across the country.
Brooks: Wow, that sounds interesting, Harvey. How does this hospital-at-home program work, and what kind of patients can benefit from it?
Harvey: That's a great question,  So, the idea is to provide acute care for patients with various conditions, including cancer patients and those recovering from complex procedures, like bone marrow transplants. For example, there's this couple, David and Marcia Elder. David had a bone marrow transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of his treatment for multiple myeloma. After the surgery, they were offered the option to return home and receive care through the hospital-at-home program. Paramedics set up a make-shift recovery room in their living space, and they were able to convalesce at home.
Brooks: That's incredible Harvey, But, uh,  how did this program come about? I mean, it seems like a big shift from traditional hospital care.
Harvey: Absolutely,  So, the Mayo Clinic was among the first hospitals to experiment with this concept about four years ago. But the real catalyst for the expansion of these programs was the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid relaxed some rules, allowing at-home hospital care programs to expand rapidly. There are now around 250 similar programs throughout the country. And these pandemic-era waivers are expected to remain in place until at least the end of 2024.
Brooks: That's quite a change. I'm curious, though,  what are the benefits of receiving care at home as opposed to a traditional hospital setting?
Harvey: Well, there are several benefits. For one, patients tend to recover faster and use physical therapy or skilled nursing care less when they're at home. It's like, there's something magical about being in a familiar environment. Plus, hospitals can be noisy and pose a risk of infection, so being at home can be more restful and pleasant. And, of course, there's the convenience of having family around and access to things like your own TV remote and favorite food.
Brooks: That makes sense. But, uh, are there any risks or challenges associated with providing care at home?
Harvey: Definitely,  Not every patient is stable enough for at-home care, and it's voluntary, so some patients opt not to participate. There are also concerns about the lack of immediate access to in-person nursing and the potential for sudden deteriorations in a patient's condition. Critics argue that it could lead to substandard care and increased reliance on family members and the public 9-1-1 system. However, there are safeguards in place, like local paramedics on call and 24-hour access to doctors via video calls.
Brooks: I see. So,  what do you think the future holds for hospital-at-home programs?
Harvey: Well,  it's hard to say for sure, but many experts believe that hospital-at-home programs could become a permanent fixture in healthcare. They offer cost savings, improved patient outcomes, and reduced need for hospital staff. Plus, with advances in technology and the prevalence of portable Internet-enabled devices, remote care is becoming more feasible. It
's like we're seeing a modern version of the old-fashioned house call.
Brooks: That's really fascinating,  It sounds like hospital-at-home programs have the potential to reshape the future of healthcare in a big way.
Harvey: Absolutely,  It's an exciting time for healthcare, and it'll be interesting to see how these programs continue to evolve.
To recap, we've discussed the emergence and expansion of hospital-at-home programs, which provide acute care to patients in the comfort of their own homes. We've explored the benefits, challenges, and potential future of these programs, and how they're changing the landscape of healthcare.
Brooks: Thanks for sharing all that information,  It's been a really enlightening conversation.
Harvey: My pleasure,  And thank you to all our listeners for tuning in to the GPTpodcast.com This has been our AI in Healthcare Series. We hope you enjoyed the discussion, and we look forward to bringing you more insights in our next episode. Until then, take care and stay healthy!