To reduce ED utilization and exposure to infectious disease, this pilot program identified symptoms that could be appropriately managed in a lower level of care setting—a patient’s home. A mobile integrated health team provided clinical interventions and wellness checks, such as hydration and labs, from the safety of the patients’ homes. Throughout 2020, the care team made 652 home visits to 169 patients with cancer.
The Presbyterian Healthcare Services Cancer Care program and Albuquerque Ambulance Service partnered together beginning in 2019 to develop a unique service, offering patients with cancer certain clinical interventions and wellness checks to be received at home provided by the Albuquerque Ambulance Service Mobile Integrated Health team. The goal of the initiative has been to reduce utilization of the emergency department (ED) for symptoms that could be appropriately managed in a lower level of care—in this case, patients’ homes—as well as reduce patients’ exposure to other infectious diseases while at the ED. The initiative has had the added benefit of reducing in-office visits throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for patients requiring lower acuity care. Though it is early to report on detailed findings, preliminary results suggest excellent clinical outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, and significant cost savings to both the clinical delivery system and payers.
