Spending days or weeks in the hospital can be daunting for patients, but technological advancements now allow some patients to receive acute care in the comfort of home. “The traditional model of this care has been that a patient is admitted to the hospital overnight, but Acute Care at Home brings the hospital to the patient’s home,” said Dr. Danielle Hanssen of Optum Health Washington. This program is an alternative to acute hospital care for qualifying patients with significant illness or a chronic medical condition requiring hospital-level care. Conditions include congestive heart failure and high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, pneumonia and more. “That decreases the risk of hospital-acquired infections,” Hanssen said. “It decreases the risk of patients’ falls. It also decreases the risk of something we call hospital-acquired delirium.” Through Optum’s Acute Care at Home program, equipment and supplies are delivered to a patient’s home and set up, including a tablet for video visits. Patients have daily contact with their doctor, nurse practitioner or clinician—virtually and in-home. A 24/7 care team remotely monitors vitals and ensures patients receive hospital-level care. “It’s very much so tailored and individualized to the patient,” Hanssen said. The at-home program is usually the same length as a hospital stay. Once a patient reaches their care goals, they’ll be done. “Just like in the hospital setting, there’s really no one-size-fits-all,” Hanssen said. “It really depends on what the patient is being treated for and how well they recover with the treatment plan.” You can talk to your provider to find out if you qualify for Optum Acute Care at Home or call 425-304-1113 for more information. Sponsored by Optum Care Washington Segment Producer Rebecca Perry. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.