Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System and Nashville home health care company Contessa have formed a partnership to provide hospital-level care at home for patients with certain conditions.
The services are slated to launch at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in December. They will expand to other Henry Ford hospital locations in the future.
Hospital Care at Home is for patients with a variety of acute conditions who would otherwise be admitted to the hospital. Under the program, eligible patients will have the option to choose to have their care provided from the comfort and convenience of their home through a combination of in-person and virtual care.
The joint venture’s high-acuity home care offering includes Hospital Care at Home, Skilled Nursing Care at Home, and Palliative Care at Home, which brings all the essential elements of hospital, rehabilitation, and medical care for skilled nursing patients and broader palliative care services into the comfort of patients’ homes. This first-for-Michigan at-home option is proven to decrease costs and improve outcomes for enrolled patients, according to hospital officials.
“There has never been a more important time for us to partner with our patients and members along their entire health care journey and to give them the choices they want and need,” says Wright Lassiter III, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. “We are excited to partner with Contessa for this opportunity to build on our strong foundation of home health care and further integrate the care and coverage we provide to improve the experience and the outcomes our customers deserve.”
Contessa’s model, according to the hospital, is proven to drive better patient outcomes and increase patient satisfaction. Historically, on average, the model reduces readmission rates by 44 percent; decreases the mean length of a hospital stay by 35 percent; and has a patient satisfaction score of more than 90 percent. This patient-centered approach empowers patients to take control of their health in a setting that is familiar and less stressful — their home.
Contessa’s model for high-acuity home care has grown exponentially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership will be a key addition to Henry Ford’s ongoing efforts to manage capacity levels across its hospitals, especially during these challenging times.
“Henry Ford Health System is committed to putting its patients at the center of its care delivery, and Henry Ford Hospital Care at Home is a natural extension of that passion,” says Travis Messina, CEO of Contessa. “This model personalizes care for acute and chronic conditions, while lowering costs and increasing patient satisfaction. Contessa is honored to partner with Henry Ford to bring this level of care to the people of Michigan.”
In addition to creating Hospital Care at Home, the partnership will enable two other services. Skilled Nursing Care (SNF) at Home offers patients who qualify for skilled nursing facilities the ability to receive rehabilitation and other medical care at home. Traditionally, many patients are transferred to a rehab facility after a hospital stay to receive skilled nursing level care. SNF Care at Home allows patients to return to their homes while receiving the same level of care.
Palliative Care at Home brings an added layer of support to seriously ill patients, their families, and their care providers. This coordinated care consists of in-home and virtual visits with care team members; 24-hour services including physical, emotional, and spiritual support and in-depth discussions about patients’ conditions and treatment plans; and social support services.
