How it works
Home-based hospital care: The basics
Imagine being able to spend less time in the hospital and more time in your own home — all while continuing to receive hospital-level care. If you live within 30 minutes of University Hospital and are covered by one of several qualifying insurance plans, this may be an option for you. Participation is voluntary, so you may remain in the hospital even if offered the choice of home-based hospital care.
UW Health home-based hospital care is for qualifying patients who are first seen at University Hospital or East Madison Hospital. Some patients begin their home-based care after being seen in the Emergency Department; others are initially cared for in a more acute inpatient setting, such as intensive care, but later transfer to general care as their condition improves.
Many services that you might think can only be done in the hospital now can be done in the comfort of your own home. These include:
Nursing visits
Blood draws and lab work
X-rays
Ultrasounds
Physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy
Social worker visits
Many advantages
Hospital-based hospital care could be right for you
There are many reasons why home-based care might be a good option for you, if you qualify:
You are at home, in your most comfortable environment
You are more connected to your family
UW Health caregivers typically spend more time with you; they also learn more about you as a person, not just as a patient
You have a lower risk of falling because you know your surroundings
You have a lower risk of infection
Your vital signs are monitored by home-based hospital care staff
Research has shown that patient satisfaction scores are higher when care is received in the home
How do I find out more?
More information about home-based hospital care is available by calling (608) 265-5400.
