MO Health System Strikes Partnership to Launch Hospital-at-Home Care

March 20, 2023 - A new partnership between St. Louis-based Mercy health system and Maribel Health aims to develop clinically appropriate, at-home care programs that leverage in-person and virtual care, including a new Mercy Hospital @ Home program.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of hospital-at-home care programs grew noticeably. These care models allow for the delivery of acute-level care to eligible patients within their homes. The models often leverage devices that track patient health, enabling clinicians to intervene as needed. Additionally, clinical evidence continues to support this care method, with studies indicating their ability to reduce mortality, lower readmission risks, and mitigate the risk of admission into a long-term care facility.

A new collaborative effort between Mercy and Maribel Health includes the two organizations signing a multi-year agreement to create at-home care programs. One of these programs will be the new Mercy Hospital @ Home, which aims to provide hospital-level care while allowing patients to remain in locations with optimal comfort conditions, such as their homes.

“Hospitals will always be needed, though we must think differently in order to meet the changing needs of our patients,” said Ursula Wright, a family nurse practitioner and Mercy vice president of clinical redesign and optimization, in a press release. “When someone is in the hospital, it can be difficult for them and create challenges for their loved ones in a variety of ways. For select patients, Mercy Hospital @ Home will reduce those burdens and provide patients a familiar environment where they can heal with the same high-quality care they expect from Mercy.”

One of the 25 largest health systems in the US, Mercy serves millions annually through its 40-plus acute care, managed and specialty hospitals, 900 physician practices and outpatient facilities, and 4,000 Mercy Clinic physicians and advanced practitioners. Its facilities span several states, including Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Mercy intends to launch the program this summer in the St. Louis Area, offering it to Medicare patients under specific criteria. It will then expand the program to other states.

Launched in 2021, Maribel Health aims to help hospitals grow their capacity through advanced clinical care at home services and community programs. Through its team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, healthcare entrepreneurs, and technologists, Maribel Health has helped care for over 15,000 hospital-at-home admissions and led the design process of more than 12 advanced care-at-home programs.

"The combination of patient preference, evolving technology capabilities, Emergency Department and hospital congestion combined with workforce shortages are collectively driving the home to be the default site of care,” said Ronald Paulus, MD, Maribel Health's co-founder and CEO, in a press release. "Hospital at home is just one example of a broad range of advanced care in the home that can be delivered with improved clinical outcomes, greater efficiency and most importantly enhanced patient and consumer experience.”

Mercy is the latest healthcare provider to enter a partnership to launch and scale hospital-at-home programs.

Augusta University Health (AU Health) began working with Biofourmis in February to expand its previously created Virtual Care at Home program.

AU Health launched the program in February 2021, initially intending to use it to conserve facility resources for critically ill COVID-19 patients. It now plans on expanding the program across the continuum of care while improving patient outcomes and experience with the assistance of Biofourmis.

Biofourmis provides an artificial intelligence-driven solution to analyze patient data and help inform clinical decision-making. The partnership will leverage the solution to improve throughput within the emergency department and the inpatient setting.