Richmond, Va.-based VCU Health’s Hospital at Home program has provided hospital-level care to more than 1,000 patients in the Richmond region since launching in 2023.
The program, run through VCU Medical Center, delivers acute inpatient care directly to patients’ homes. Enrolled patients receive daily virtual physician visits, two in-person home visits each day and 24/7 virtual nursing support, along with services such as imaging, lab testing, IV medication administration and physical therapy. To qualify, patients must live within 25 miles of VCU Medical Center, be in stable condition and have a low risk of complications.
Julia Breton, MD, co-medical director of VCU Health Hospital at Home, stated that the model is designed to replicate hospital-level oversight while keeping patients in a familiar setting. “Providing care in the home builds a sacred bond of trust between the patient and the clinician,” Dr. Breton said in an Aug. 24 news release.
VCU Health highlighted the milestone through the case of a Hopewell, Va., patient treated for complications from congestive heart failure who credited the program’s daily home visits and individualized care planning with improving her recovery experience.
VCU Health was the first hospital in central Virginia to offer hospital-at-home care, and the program continues to expand as more health systems nationally adopt the model to manage acute-care patients outside traditional hospital settings.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
