Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham has launched the first clinical trial in the country testing a Home Hospital model for patients with primary psychiatric conditions, alongside a second trial extending Home Hospital care to patients with dementia.
The pilot trial, funded by the Thompson Family Foundation, has enrolled all 20 patients in its initial phase, according to an Aug. 18 news release. It targets patients presenting with primary psychiatric conditions, including psychosis, depression, anxiety and behavioral symptoms of dementia, delivering care through a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and mental health specialists.
Mass General Brigham says the study marks the first attempt nationally to test whether hospital-level psychiatric care can be delivered safely in a patient’s home after an emergency department diagnosis.
The second trial, funded by the National Institute on Aging, will enroll 200 patients with moderate to severe dementia and follow them for one year. Participants will be randomized to hospital-based care or a Home Hospital pathway that includes proactive care planning, virtual urgent care supported by mobile integrated health paramedics, and direct admission to Home Hospital when needed.
David Levine, MD, clinical director of research and development at Mass General Brigham Healthcare at Home, is leading both trials.
“These trials will help us evaluate whether patients living with dementia and those with primary psychiatric diagnoses can safely receive advanced, hospital-level care in their homes while avoiding many of the challenges associated with traditional hospital-based care,” Dr. Levine said.
Mass General Brigham operates one of the largest Home Hospital programs in the country and expanded the model to oncology patients last year.
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