Hospital in the Home
Patient information
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
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.
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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