Recovering from an illness in a hospital can be a stressful and costly experience for many patients who would rather rest in the comfort of their own home. TGH at Home, Tampa General Hospital’s hospital at home program, is now available to eligible patients in Hernando and Citrus Counties.
TGH at Home combines innovative technology with a focus on the needs of the patient. Our hospital at home program gives eligible patients an opportunity to stay in the comfort of their own home, while receiving best-in-class clinical hospital care. The program combines daily in-home visits from health care providers, virtual visits and 24/7 remote patient monitoring.
To be enrolled in TGH at Home, patients must be seen in the Emergency Department or admitted to the hospital so they can be transferred to the hospital at home program (pending patient consent).
Hospital at Home Program Benefits
TGH at Home gives patients what they really want – world-class care in their own environment. Patients enrolled in our hospital at home program benefit from:
- Patient-centric care
- Privacy of being at home
- Comfort of family, friends and pets
- Reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections
- Equivalent or better outcomes when compared to traditional hospital care
How Our Hospital at Home Program Works
Patients are thoroughly evaluated to determine if their medical condition makes them a candidate for TGH at Home. During their in-home admissions, patients receive at least two in-person visits per day by a dedicated member of the TGH at Home clinical team. For ease of access, patients must live within a 30-minute drive from Tampa General Hospital to qualify for care in the unit.
In addition to in-person care, TGH is leveraging innovative technology to provide optimal care outside of the hospital. TGH is excited to partner with the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) platform, BioBeat, to provide each patient with a wireless device that continuously transmits vital signs. The device serves as a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter and thermometer, all in one. In addition to continuous patient monitoring, TGH is proud to work with U.S.-based telehealth provider, Vsee. This virtual health platform provides patients with a cellular-enabled tablet to transfer vital sign information as well as for conducting telehealth visits with providers. The equipment is provided at no additional cost and is continually monitored by the care team.
Hospital at Home Program Eligibility
The TGH at Home team will work to identify patients we believe may be eligible for the program. Initially, our hospital at home program will be limited to patients with certain conditions that include:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Cellulitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Diabetes
Frequently Asked Questions
Your time in the Hospital at Home program will depend on your unique situation and how your diagnosis is progressing. The average length of time in the program is around 4 days.
You will be given a monitoring device (BioBeat) that will continuously monitor and report your vitals to your care team. So even when your care team isn’t with you, they will be able to check on you.
One or more members of your care team will come to your home to check in on you two times per day. The times may vary day to day, but they will do their best to accommodate your preferences.
The team will ensure medications and necessary equipment are delivered daily and will coordinate all needed services, including labs, imaging tests, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and respiratory therapy.
You will have access to a 24/7 line where you will be supported by a provider if any concerns arise outside of your scheduled visits.
Just as patients admitted to the hospital are asked not to leave the hospital during their stay, we ask that you stay home while admitted to the Hospital at Home program.
There will be some use of mobile devices involved in your care if you're admitted to the Hospital at Home program. A member of our team will visit your home to set up everything you need to communicate with your care team. A tablet with Bluetooth and cellular data capabilities will be provided for your use during your admission. Technology assistance is available around-the-clock to support your care at home.
Our hospital at home program provides the continuation of the care you would receive in the hospital, but in the comfort of your home. It's provided over a short period of time and is offered as an option for patients who need hospital level care.
Home health care is also provided in the home setting, but it is generally offered to treat an illness or injury that would not otherwise have required admission to the hospital, or to support healing after a hospital admission is over.
