HHCS reduces HMC emergency department visits

A comprehensive set of service improvements implemented by Hamad Medical Corporation’s Home Health Care Service (HHCS) has led to a reduction in the number of unnecessary visits to emergency departments by registered patients.
The service changes have resulted in the percentage of home healthcare patients visiting an emergency department each month falling from an average of 8% to 5%.
Dr Feras Haddad, senior consultant head of section and lead physician, HHCS, said: “Our Home Health Care Service provides a wide range of healthcare services to more than 2,600 registered patients, most of them over 60 years of age with multiple co-morbidities. Our aim is to deliver healthcare and assistance to patients in the comfortable and familiar environment of their home, ultimately reducing their need to visit a hospital or healthcare facility for their care.”
“Since the start of 2021, our HHCS has introduced multiple initiatives to ensure patients receive the best care possible at home and to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits, relieving pressure on hospital beds and enhancing the care experience for patients.”
Service improvements include,
A patient assigned physician model of care was introduced to improve continuity of care and follow-ups.
Decentralisation of HHCS services across four districts – Al Wakra, Landmark (with satellite in Al Khor), Muaither, in addition to the main centre at Hamad Medical City – has brought the care teams closer to patients’ homes.
Initiatives to reduce hospital admissions, including assessing frequent emergency department attenders, active post-discharge reviews to evaluate the patient status after an inpatient admission, and putting care plans in place.
Collaboration with the Elderly Urgent Care Unit at Rumailah Hospital to refer patients with urgent, but non-emergency care needs for rapid access to care.
A feeding tube replacement pathway with the Elderly Urgent Care Unit to avoid patients visiting emergency departments for this service.
Enhancing the multi-disciplinary team approach within HHCS to ensure patients various needs are adequately assessed and met through an integrated plan of care.
Dr Essa al-Sulaiti, medical director, HHCS, said: “Each year the number of visits carried out by our HHCS teams increases and in 2023 we made approximately 80,000 visits to patients’ homes. Our multidisciplinary care teams of doctors, nurses and patient care assistants conduct home visits to perform necessary clinical examinations and review the patient’s care plan. Services provided by our teams include regular medical check-ups, medication management, wound care, administering injections, respiratory therapy, and specialist physio and occupational therapy, speech, language and dietician services.”
Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, HMC’s Deputy Chief for Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics Care, added: “This trend is expected to continue over the next few decades leading to increased demand on our Home Health care Service. I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in the service improvements that have led to the reduction in emergency department visits by registered home care patients. These initiatives are making a real positive impact on patient care.”