COVID-19 Enhanced Home Care Treatment Model: A Primary Care and Accountable Care Organization Collaboration

Abstract

COVID-19 caused health systems across the United States to provide innovative care within a short time period. Baptist Health System of Northeast Florida took a proactive, collaborative approach to rapidly develop and implement an enhanced home support model for patients with COVID-19 in partnership with Baptist Primary Care, Baptist Home Health Care, and durable medical equipment companies. The model was evidence-based and protocol-driven allowing patients to be safely cared for in the home setting. It also helped decompress the hospital by preserving finite health system bed and care team capacity, both of which would have otherwise been exceeded during surge peaks. Low rates of emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations demonstrated excellent quality of care. Experience gained from building this model allows its replication for chronic, high-risk conditions to align with long-term value-based care strategies.