Benefits of Hospital at Home

At Northwestern Medicine, our commitment to putting patients first means meeting you where you are, with the care you need.

Research shows that programs like Hospital at Home can lead to:

• Better patient-reported outcomes
• Higher patient satisfaction
• Fewer return visits to the emergency department

What You Can Expect

A team of medical professionals will provide hospital-level care right in your home.

Below is the typical care journey for patients who choose Hospital at Home:

1. You visit a participating Northwestern Medicine location with a medical concern.
2. Your care team decides you need inpatient-level care. This type of care often involves staying overnight.
3. A clinician identifies you as eligible for Hospital at Home.
4. You agree to participate in the Hospital at Home program.
5. We set up your transportation home. After you get home, a nurse visits you to set up your equipment.
6. A nurse visits your home two times a day. They check your health, provide care and answer questions.
7. Your physician checks in with you once a day with a virtual visit. We will give you a tablet to use for your virtual visits.
8. Your care team monitors and responds to issues as needed.
9. Your care team determines you are ready for discharge from the program.

Our dedicated Hospital at Home team will work together to care for you. You will get in-person nurse visits and virtual physician visits. In addition, we will:

• Monitor your health in real-time.
• Perform scans and lab tests at your home or take you to the hospital for them.
• Provide you with your medications and meals, if you choose.
• Set up transportation between your home and the hospital when needed.

This program is currently available at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. We plan to expand it to other Northwestern Medicine locations soon.