Hospital in the Home

Patient information

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Welcome to Alfred Health's Hospital in the Home (HITH) service, where we bring the care and expertise of hospital treatment into the comfort and familiarity of your own home. Our dedicated team ensures you receive the best possible care without the need to stay extended periods in the hospital. Here's everything you need to know about accessing and benefiting from our HITH service.

What we do

HITH is a comprehensive program designed to allow patients to receive medical care at home or in clinics, minimizing the need for hospital stays. You will be considered an in-patient of the hospital, continuing under the care of your hospital doctor, and receiving full support from a multidisciplinary team including nursing, medical, pharmacy, and other health professionals.

Services We Provide

Our HITH team offers a wide range of services to meet your acute care needs at home, including but not limited to:

  • Intravenous antibiotics for infections
  • Acute wound care, such as burns and VAC dressings
  • Management of medication for blood thinning (anti-coagulation)
  • Cancer care
  • Treatment of chest infections, such as exacerbation of cystic fibrosis
  • Specialized treatments for conditions like heart failure
  • Antibiotics for peritoneal dialysis patients

Who we care for

Our service is available to any Alfred Health patients with acute care needs that can be safely managed at home as determined by their medical team. We serve patients across Victoria and can outsource nursing care for those living outside of metropolitan Melbourne. Access to HITH is possible only through referral by an Alfred Health clinician during a hospital stay.

What to expect

Once enrolled in HITH, you will:

  • Be seen or contacted at least once per day based on your care needs
  • Receive all necessary equipment and medications for your treatment at home
  • Get support from an experienced nurse 24/7 for any concerns or emergencies
  • Have scheduled home visits, with prior notification of our arrival time

Patient Responsibilities

As a HITH patient, we ask you to:

  • Ensure availability for visits, telehealth or phone calls
  • Provide a safe, smoke-free environment for home care
  • Attend scheduled medical reviews and follow up with hospital visits as needed
  • Not visit your GP while enrolled in HITH, as your care is managed by the hospital team. We will inform your GP upon your discharge from the program.

Preventing Infections

To maintain the highest standards of care and prevent infections, we:

  • Provide hand sanitiser and special equipment, including sharps containers
  • Ensure visiting clinicians clean all equipment used during visits
  • Coordinate with the Infection Prevention team to manage and prevent infections effectively

Commonly asked questions

Do I have to be at home all day?

No, we will provide a time range for when we anticipate getting to your house. If we're running late or need to change the time, we will contact you in advance.

What happens during the first visit?

A HITH nurse will review your care plan, discuss medications, and ensure your home is equipped for safe treatment. It's an opportunity to involve your family or carers in your care plan.

Our Hospital in the Home service offers a flexible, patient-centred approach to medical care, allowing you to recover in the comfort of your own home while receiving the highest standard of care from Alfred Health. If you have any questions or need further information, please ask your medical team.

How to access this service

Accessing HITH

Referrals

HITH is accessible exclusively to patients currently admitted to The Alfred, Sandringham Hospital or Caulfield Hospital, or referred by an Alfred Health clinician.

Costs

There is no cost for individuals with Medicare.

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