The Cowichan District Hospital has become the latest addition to BC’s Hospital at Home (HaH) program.
This expansion marks the seventh location in the province and the second within the Island Health region.
While many may not yet be familiar with the concept, this internationally recognized model is changing the way patients receive care.
What is Hospital at Home?
Hospital at Home is a program that provides hospital-level care to patients in their own homes. Rather than being confined to a hospital bed, eligible patients can now receive treatment where they feel most at ease.
A dedicated team of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and pharmacists, deliver daily in-person and virtual care visits, ensuring that patients have round-the-clock access to medical support.
Patients in the HaH program remain registered with the hospital, and while they are physically at home, they continue to receive the same high level of care as they would within the hospital’s walls.
Services provided include vital signs monitoring, IV medications, lab work, and more. For procedures that require specialized equipment, such as CT scans or transfusions, patients can be transported to the hospital for appointments.
A Growing Program
The HaH program has been steadily growing across BC since its first launch in 2020 at Victoria General Hospital.
In July, 192 patients had received care through HaH programs across the province. Island Health’s initial HaH services at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospital have collectively saved over 19,777 bed days, according to the province.
“People in Cowichan deserve health care that’s accessible and close to family and community,” said Premier David Eby.
“Expanding the local Hospital at Home program gives patients the comfort and convenience of receiving care in their own homes, making it easier to heal and recover with loved ones nearby while still receiving the best care.”
Impact on the Cowichan Community
The HaH program at Cowichan District Hospital, which officially launched on April 16th, is funded to support up to 10 patients at a time. Eligible patients are those who are both medically and geographically appropriate for the program.
Participation in HaH is entirely voluntary, offering patients the option to receive hospital-level care at home rather than in the hospital. Should their condition change, patients can easily transition back to in-hospital care if needed.
“As a CDH Hospital at Home patient, I felt so cared for and supported both virtually and in person by CDH nursing staff,” said Claire Killick, patient, CDH Hospital at Home program. “It gave me the confidence to know that I could safely complete my recovery from the comfort of my own home.”
In a media release, the Province said feedback from previous HaH participants has been overwhelmingly positive. An evaluation of Island Health’s first year of HaH service found that 99% of patients would recommend the program to friends and family, and 98% of caregivers felt confident in their role and would also recommend HaH. Additionally, 100% of healthcare staff involved in the program would recommend it to others.
“People living in Duncan and surrounding areas now have expanded access to hospital-level health care in the comfort of their own homes,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.
“After a successful pilot in Victoria, the expansion into Cowichan will now ensure that residents in the area will receive comprehensive, team-based care, while simultaneously supporting the health care system. We’re committed to growing and strengthening people’s access to high-quality health services, and this is just one way that we are doing so.”
How to Access the HaH Program
For patients interested in the HAH program, the first step is to speak with their physician. The healthcare provider will review eligibility criteria and discuss the patient’s care needs with the HaH team to determine if it’s the right fit.
Participation is optional, and the program offers a flexible approach that prioritizes patient comfort and convenience while maintaining high standards of medical care.
For the Cowichan Valley, this means more residents can heal and recover in the familiar surroundings of their own homes, supported by a top-tier medical team.
Would you prefer to receive medical care at home? Let us know in the comment section below!
