Cape Hospital now offers ‘Hospital at Home’
Qualifying patients can receive equivalent care for five common conditions
It’s no secret that Cape Coral remains one of the fastest-growing cities in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.
To keep up with that growth, and to meet the needs of the community, Lee Health has announced the second phase of its “Hospital at Home” program, which starts this week in Cape Coral.
According to Lee Health, Hospital at Home allows qualifying patients to receive hospital-level care from the comfort of their own home. Lee Health first launched the program in November of 2024 at Gulf Coast Medical Center. Since its inception, 140 patients have been admitted to the program.
Cape Coral Hospital held a ribbon cutting for the Cape Coral component on Thursday.
Health officials state Hospital at Home focuses on five primary diagnoses, including pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), urinary tract infection requiring hospitalization, and cellulitis, but leaders evaluate all potential patients interested in the option.
“Through Phase I of the Hospital at Home program launching last year at Gulf Coast Medical Center, we have seen that home-based hospital care improves outcomes and enhances patient experiences,” said Kristy Dutton, Lee Health’s system director of the Hospital at Home program, in a release. “And we are excited to bring this convenient care option to the Cape Coral community. Patients with lower acuity illnesses can recover from the comfort of their own homes with the same technology, constant communication and compassionate care they’d receive in a hospital setting-in a place where they’re most comfortable. The Hospital at Home program also will help create more space and access to essential care for Cape Coral residents and visitors. It’s a big win for the community.”
Health officials said Hospital at Home uses the latest technology so that patients can access expert care from hospital staff at all times. Patients admitted to Hospital at Home receive:
• In-home assessments and treatments administered by Lee Health nurses
• Regular and as-needed video visits from a doctor or nurse
• Monitoring for temperature, pulse regularity and other important indicators of health status
• Medications, IV infusions, testing, imaging and therapy brought to the home
• Food prepared and packaged by Lee Health Food & Nutrition Services and delivered by a Hospital at Home courier
Fort Myers resident Wendy Markman shared her story regarding the high-level care she received in her own home, and the comfort it brought her.
A week before last Thanksgiving, Markman fell ill during a day out and was taken via ambulance to the hospital, where she found out she had pneumonia.
“I thought I’d rather sleep at home,” said Markman in a statement to Lee Health. “My husband doesn’t drive so it would be difficult for him to come see me at the hospital. Plus, the idea that he would be with me at all times was comforting.”
She was given an iPad with a lead to monitor her vitals. A pulse oximetry device reported her blood saturation level every hour via the iPad, along with her blood pressure. On the second night during her hospital at home stay, Markman wanted to leave her bed and stretch her legs with a short walk around her house.
“It was amazing that they could monitor my vitals and oxygen,” Markman said. “They knew exactly what was going on with me.
“My recovery was quicker because I was at home and I could move around,” she said. “The biggest thing was that I was able to get good sleep, which made a huge difference.”
Health officials said home-based hospital care has been tested and implemented at several well-known and well-regarded health systems, such as Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, and Lee Health is looking forward to bringing this new and convenient healthcare option to the Cape Coral community.
For more about Lee Health’s Hospital at Home program, visit www.leehealth.org.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com