Dallas-based Parkland Health’s hospital-at-home program costs about 30% less per episode than traditional inpatient care, according to a Nov. 5 report from the Irving (Texas) Journal. The figure comes from a February evaluation of the program.
As of Aug. 17, the program had treated 1,660 patients and freed up 11,637 hospital bed days. The average stay was 7.5 days in fiscal year 2026.
Parkland launched hospital at home in 2022 after receiving approval from CMS and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Since then, it has taken on patients with more complex conditions.
Infectious diseases make up the largest share of patients. These include urinary tract infections, diabetic foot infections, cellulitis and bloodstream infections. The program also treats kidney and cardiac conditions. It has added wound vacuum therapy, continuous heart monitoring, oxygen therapy and point-of-care lab testing.
Patients have a virtual visit with a physician or advanced practice provider every day, and nurses visit twice a day. Each patient receives a pulse oximeter, a blood pressure cuff, a remote monitoring device and a tablet for virtual appointments.
“The goal is not simply to get someone out of the hospital sooner,” said Stephen Harder, MD, lead physician and medical director of the program. Dr. Harder said the team can quickly move patients back to the hospital if their condition changes.
That happened to one patient being treated at home for a bone infection. He developed pneumonia nearly two weeks into his stay. The hospital-at-home team coordinated his return through Parkland’s emergency department, and he was admitted to the ICU.
Infectious disease cases still lead the program’s volume as it expands to higher-acuity care at home.
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