Yale New Haven Health celebrates 1000 patients treated through the Home Hospital Program

New Haven, CT. (June 6, 2024) – Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS), which launched the Home Hospital program in 2022 to provide hospital-level care to patients in their homes, celebrated the 1000th patient cared-for milestone by hosting two former patients who shared their experiences with a large audience of healthcare professionals.

“I was offered this as a care option after a brief stay in the Emergency Department and after hearing I qualified for this program, I jumped at the opportunity to participate in the Home Hospital,” said former patient Melissa Desmond of New Haven. “It was so much easier and convenient for me and especially my children to receive great care at home. The biggest takeaway for me was being able to be with my family and have the staff right there to answer all my questions. The staff who came to my house was wonderful and provided me with exceptional care, even when I needed it overnight. This was a positive experience for me and my family. I felt like all my needs were met and I was completely taken care of. “

The Home Hospital program provides acute care to patients who would otherwise need to be in the hospital. Through a combination of in-person visits and telehealth technology, the program brings a range of hospital services to the homes of patients with heart failure, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cellulitis, sepsis, COVID and other conditions.

“I was an inpatient at Bridgeport Hospital for five days receiving antibiotics for an infection,” said Reverend William McCullough of Bridgeport. “When my wife and I were told of the Home Hospital Program and that I could be home, sleeping in my own bed, having my own food, and having the nursing staff come in twice a day and administer my medication, we agreed this was what we wanted. I received the care I needed, and that reassurance was very soothing and comforting. The rehabilitation team that visited was incredible and I was back on my feet in a matter of days. Everything from the love I received from my family, the nurses and the doctors on the tablet with conference calls made this a great experience.”

The Home Hospital program serves patients meeting certain clinical and social criteria who live within 25 miles of Yale New Haven or Bridgeport hospitals. Yale New Haven Health partners with a vendor, Medically Home, to provide program services. The Home Hospital program is growing and is expected to expand to other YNHHS hospitals in the future.

“Since the program’s inception in 2022, we have shown that patients can receive the same quality of care in their homes, that we can do it safely, consistently and with increased patient satisfaction,” said Carly Brown, MD, medical director, Home Hospital, Yale New Haven Health. “We believe that this program is an important and pivotal part of the future of medicine. It’s an honor to be a part of if it.”

Video: Dr. Thomas Balcezak, chief clinical officer, Yale New Haven Health

Video: Former patient Melissa Desmond

Video: Former patient Reverend William McCullough

Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS), the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in Connecticut, is recognized for advanced clinical care, quality, service, cost effectiveness and commitment to improving the health status of the communities it serves. YNHHS includes five hospitals – Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial, Westerly and Yale New Haven hospitals, several specialty networks and Northeast Medical Group, a non-profit medical foundation with several hundred community-based and hospital-employed physicians. YNHHS is affiliated with Yale University and Yale Medicine, the clinical practice of the Yale School of Medicine and the largest academic multi-specialty practice in New England. Yale New Haven Hospital is the primary teaching hospital of Yale School of Medicine. www.ynhhs.org